Demographic study of patients with rheumatoid arthritis in tikrit city

Abstract

RA is a progressive and disabling auto-immune disease, it has serious physical, emotional and economic consequences characterized by inflammation of the lining at the joints end with complete tissue damage. 52 patients previously diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis according to the classification criteria set. The females were predominantly affected than male (4:1). Hands and feet deformities are significantly affected like swan neck in 84.6%& boutonnier deformities in76.9% but larger joints like shoulder and knee joints can also be involved .The presence of rheumatoid factor seen in 65% of cases. Disabled rheumatoid patients were 69%specialy those with prolong duration of the disease with multiple joints deformities that explain the rapid progression of the disease in our country because of delayed ARDMDs treatment, poor educational & economical state & there were (84-96%) of patients received bad and random protocols of NSAID and corticosteroids treatment with interrupted rehabilitation programs. So we call the health authorities to establish specific centers of autoimmune rheumatic and connective tissue diseases provided by diagnostic and therapeutic facilities to decrease the disabilities in our society.