Demographic, Clinical Profile of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients and Their Association with Disease Severity in Ghana
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Date
2024
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Hindawi
Abstract
Background. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the frequent chronic, systemic, inflammatory autoimmune disorders with an
estimated global prevalence of 1%. RA leads to joint destruction and disability if left untreated. Ghana has seen very few studies
on RA, and little is known about the disease’s severity and related variables. This study sought to characterize the clinical
presentation and determine disease severity and associated risk factors with disease severity among RA patients in a tertiary
hospital in Ghana. Methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2020 and August 2021. This study
included 56 consecutively consenting RA patients from the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital orthopaedic unit. Diagnosis of
RA was based on the updated American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism (ACR/EULAR) 2022
rheumatoid arthritis classification criteria by a rheumatologist. A study questionnaire was used to gather participant
demographics and clinical features, and results from the laboratory were taken from the patients’ charts and medical records.
The patients’ disease severity was evaluated based on the rheumatoid arthritis disease activity score, which is based on a 28-joint
count (DAS28), and their functioning was evaluated using the modified health assessment questionnaire. Results. The
participants’ mean age was 51 25 ± 13 22 years. Out of the total participants, 46 were females, and 10 were males (female-to-male
ratio 4.6 : 1). Moreover, 37.50% had arthritis of the hand; 5.30% had severe disease, and 94.60% were not severe. A majority
(76.80%) were on methotrexate medication. The most frequently involved joints were the knee (42.90%), wrist (32.10%), and
elbow (12.50%). There was no statistically significant association with disease severity and a functional status score of >0.5
(cOR: 10.60, 95% CI (0.52-217.30); p = 0 124). In addition, marital status (p = 0 04), disease duration (p = 0 04), family
complaints (p = 0 02), and ESR (p = 0 03) were significantly associated with disease severity. Conclusion. RA is predominant
among elder populations and females. Disease duration, family complaints, and ESR are associated with disease severity. The
findings of this study call for interventions towards ensuring early diagnosis of RA among high-risk populations to enhance
good management practices.
Description
This article is published by Hindawi and is also available at https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/6639079
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Citation
International Journal of Rheumatology Volume 2024, Article ID 6639079, 9