Prevalence and Risk Factors of Rheumatoid Arthritis among Women in Sahiwal District of Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study: Prevalence and Risk Factors of Rheumatoid Arthritis among Women

Khadija Riaz; Sidra Altaf; Muhammad Ahsan Naeem; Muhammad Saleem; Aiman Irfan; . Javeria; . Asmara; Tasawar Iqbal

doi:10.54393/pbmj.v8i10.1222

Authors

Khadija Riaz Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
Sidra Altaf Department of Pharmacy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
Muhammad Ahsan Naeem Department of Basic Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
Muhammad Saleem Institute of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
Aiman Irfan Department of Biochemistry, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
. Javeria Department of Biochemistry, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
. Asmara Institute of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
Tasawar Iqbal Institute of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54393/pbmj.v8i10.1222

Keywords:

Epidemiology, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Socioeconomic Factors, Prevalence, Risk Factors

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) starts as a chronic autoimmune disease and gradually destroys joints and representing a systemic complication. Objectives: To identify the prevalence of RA and to investigate demographic, clinical, and lifestyle-related factors of the disease in the Sahiwal District of Pakistan. Methods: 288 patients who had known RA were recruited. Categories such as demographic, socioeconomic, and lifestyle were used to gather data using a structured questionnaire. There was also a review of clinical records and lab parameters such as ESR and anti-CCP. Results: The most prevalent seem to be between the ages of 43-48 years, with RA being 38.2% ultimate, which implies that middle age is the riskiest age group. A large percentage of respondents were experiencing coexisting polycystic ovary syndrome (36.1%), and almost half (48.6%) of the respondents had a family history of autoimmune disease. Over 52.8 percent of them were in low-income households. Although 87.5% were on RA treatment, more than half (54.2%) said they had no regular exercise, even though obesity was found in 43.4%. There were high rates of comorbidities, such as diabetes (39.2%), other autoimmune connective tissue disorders (53.1%). The level of inflammatory activity was high, and 82.6% had an elevated level of ESR, and 94.8% an abnormal result of anti-CCP. Conclusions: The findings are a confirmation of the multifactorial nature of RA, which is a combination of the impact of age, genetic factors, hormonal imbalance, lifestyle, and socioeconomic status.

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