Extra-articular manifestations in 587 Italian patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency of extra-articular manifestations (EAMs) of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a series of patients from nine Italian rheumatology clinics. A total of 587 patients underwent direct questioning, complete physical evaluation, and review of medical records and laboratory data. The relationships between EAMs and the eosinophilic count, IgM rheumatoid factor (RF), and antinuclear antibodies (ANA) were studied. EAMs were present in 240/587 (40.9%) patients. The most common features were sicca syndrome (17.5%) and rheumatoid nodules (16.7%). EAMs were significantly more frequent in male patients (OR = 1.68), patients with ANA positivity (OR = 2.82), high anatomical class (OR = 2.3), and rheumatoid factor seropositivity (OR = 2.22). EAMs were more common in patients from southern Italy than in those from northern Italy (P < 0.001). EAMs seem to be rarer in Italy than in the Anglo-Saxon populations of northern Europe and the USA. Differences in prevalence of EAMs can exist even within the same country.

Prevalence and characteristics of eye involvement in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

“…2 Ocular manifestations involved with RA are keratoconjunctivitis sicca, episcleritis, scleritis, sclera malacia corneal changes, and retinal vasculitis. [3][4][5] Keratoconjunctivitis sicca is common in individuals with RA and is often the initial manifestation. 4,5 Episcleritis is an inflammatory condition affecting the episcleral tissue that lies between the conjunctiva and the sclera; it is usually a mild, self-limiting, recurrent disease.…”

“…[3][4][5] Keratoconjunctivitis sicca is common in individuals with RA and is often the initial manifestation. 4,5 Episcleritis is an inflammatory condition affecting the episcleral tissue that lies between the conjunctiva and the sclera; it is usually a mild, self-limiting, recurrent disease. Most cases are idiopathic; although up to one third have an underlying systemic condition.…”

“…Most cases are idiopathic; although up to one third have an underlying systemic condition. [4][5][6] Scleritis is a chronic, painful, and potentially blinding inflammatory disease that is characterized by edema and cellular infiltration of the scleral and episcleral tissues. Sclera malacia is painless bilateral thinning of the sclera, with the affected area appearing blue or gray (the color of the underlying choroid).…”

Prevalence of Hematological Manifestations in Seropositive Rheumatoid Arthritis in a Tertiary Care Centre in South Kerala

“…Extra-articular RA is a serious condition, and rheumatoid arthritis patients with extra-articular manifestations should be aggressively treated and monitored 6 . Extra-articular manifestations of RA occur in about 40% of patients, either in the beginning or during the course of their disease 7 .…”

Olho seco e Sjögren secundário na artrite reumatóide

“…A prevalência de Síndrome de Sjögren secundá-ria varia conforme a distribuição geográfica e o perfil étnico da população de AR estudada. Um estudo feito em uma população italiana mostrou uma prevalência de SS secundária à AR em 17.5% (2) , enquanto outro, na Espanha, achou uma prevalência de 55% (3) . Se outros fatores ligados à AR influenciam na ocorrência e no aparecimento e gravidade do olho seco e da Síndrome de Sjögren secundária é um fato debatido.…”