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Research Paper | Medicine | Iraq | Volume 13 Issue 8, August 2024 | Popularity: 6.4 / 10

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Impact of Age at Diagnosis on Joint Involvement Patterns in Iraqi Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Roaa Salim, Aladdin J. Mohammad, Ziad Shafeeq Al-Rawi

Abstract: Objective: To assess the pattern of joint involvement in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) diagnosed between the age of 18 - 39 yrs. compared to patients diagnosed at age of 40 - 59 yrs. Patients and Methods: A total of 200 patients attending the Rheumatology Department in Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq, were enrolled in this cross - sectional study. Patients were diagnosed with RA and classified according to the 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria for RA. Patients were stratified by age at diagnosis into two groups, Group 1 who were 18 - 39 years at RA diagnosis (Young age), (n=100) and Group 2 who were 40 - 59 years at RA diagnosis (Middle age), (n=100). Clinical and ultrasound (US) examinations performed to estimate disease activity score (DSA) and 66/68 joint count assessment. Results: Median age at RA diagnosis in younger and middle - aged group was 29 yrs. (IQR 18 - 39) and 48 yrs. (IQR (40 - 59), respectively. Positive anti - CCP was found in 79% in younger vs.58% of middle - aged group, p=0.002. US documented arthritis of the hip joints were observed in 20% of the younger group vs.6% in the middle age group (p=0.001. The mean number of swollen joints was 3.6?3.3 in the younger vs.2.4?2.3 for the middle - aged group (p= <0.001). The corresponding mean number of tender joints were 9.1?4.3 in younger vs.7.9?4.5 in the middle - aged group (p=0.05). Conclusions: Younger adult - onset Iraqi patients suffer more severe RA compared to those diagnosed at higher age. This finding should be taken in consideration in treatment decision and follow - up of patients with RA.

Keywords: Rheumatoid arthritis, Pattern of joint involvement, young adult onset, Middle age onset

Edition: Volume 13 Issue 8, August 2024

Pages: 1506 - 1511

DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.21275/SR24824145821

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