IJSR International Journal of Scientific Research 2277 - 8179 Indian Society for Health and Advanced Research ijsr-7-10-16954 Original Research Paper Comorbid conditions in patients with rheumatoid arthritis : A prospective observational study in a tertiary care hospital. SHAHBAZ KHAN Dr. DR VISHAL TANDON Dr. October 2018 7 10 01 02 ABSTRACT

Background :Rehumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease characterised by inflammation  the principal hallmark of which is symmetric polyarthritis with main involvement of the small joints in hands and feet.In this prospective  study  a total of 110 patients were taken and various comorbid conditions associated with RA were noted. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic disease whose morbidity exceeds its mortality. Materials and methods: In this prospective study conducted over one year a total of 110 patients who were   diagnosed cases of rheumatoid arthritis  were observed and various comorbid conditions  present in these patients in addition to rheumatoid arthritis were noted so as to find incidence of the comorbid conditions. Inclusion of patients was done of those patients who fulfilled ACR/EULAR criteria for diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis.Results: In this prospective study of 110 patients it was found thatthe most common comorbid condition was hypertension followed by diabetes followed by anaemia and hypothyroidism  which is in accordance with most of the previous studies.Conclusions:The current study highlights Rheumatoid arthritis to be very common rheumatological problem presenting commonly in 5th to 6th decade of life with female predominance. It vindicates the fact that various comorbid conditions in patients with rheumatoid arthriris are on rise and contributes to increase in mortality and morbidity  in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.