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Clinical Profile of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Reporting to a Tertiary Care Center – Data From Southwestern Part of India

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by a persistent joint inflammation along with cartilage and bone damage with significant limitation of activity, reduction in the quality of life and often systemic complications. There have been lot of advances in diagnostic and treatment modalities available for RA in the recent years with better access to tertiary care centers in the country. Study aimed to analyse the present day clinical profile of patients of RA reporting to a tertiary care centre in south western part of India. Material and methods: This prospective observational, hospital based study was carried out in a tertiary care teaching hospital over a period of six months. All diagnosed consecutive cases of RA visiting our OPD or admitted in wards were evaluated. RA was diagnosed based on American College of Rheumatology Criteria-201. Detailed clinical history and examination along with haematological, biochemical parameters and inflammatory markers were analysed. Results: Total 92 cases of RA qualified for the study. 81.5% study population was female. 26% of the study population had 1st degree relative suffering from the same disease 36 (39.1%) of the patients had high disease activity. Most common joint involved was MCP joint Most common joint deformity was ulnar deviation of digits, most common radiological finding was joint space narrowing. Conclusion: RA has female preponderance with a significant proportion having positive family history. Most common joints involved are the MCP joints and the most common deformity was ulnar deviation of digits. There are significant proportions of patients who present with high disease activity. Anaemia, thrombocytosis and extrarticular manifestations are common. Most of the patients are on DMRDs with methotrexate being the most commonly used drug.