الفهرس 
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)Only 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Summary & conclusions
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease
characterized by joint swelling, joint tenderness, and destruction of
synovial joints, leading to severe disability and premature mortality.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common autoimmune
inflammatory arthritis in adults.
Cardiovascular (CV) disease has been described as the main
cause of premature mortality and sudden death in patients with RA.
This is the result of a process of accelerated atherosclerosis.
Our study aimed at evaluation of the effect of RA in
comparison to the combined effect of RA and DM on carotid
atherosclerosis as an example of cardiovascular disease.
The study was carried out on 40 patients and 10 healthy
individuals of matched age and sex as controls. They are divided
into the following groups:
1-(group I): 20 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and
diabetes mellitus.
2-(group II): 20 patients with rheumatoid arthritis without
diabetes mellitus.
3-(group III): 10 healthy individuals as a control group.
Subjected to complete history taking, full clinical examination,
laboratory investigations (Rheumatoid factor, ESR, CRP, creatinine,
blood urea, Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, Triglycerides, ACCP and
Summary & Conclusions
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Complete blood count), ultrasonography on carotid artery and
measurement of DAS28 Score and Framingham Risk Score.
In our study we found that atherosclerosis was present in 6
patients with RA with and without DM (3 in each group) as
indicated by presence of atheromatous plaque and/or increased
cMIT.
CRP was significantly higher in group of RA patients with
atherosclerosis in comparison with RA patients without
atherosclerosis.
While other parameters of the patients (age, duration of RA,
duration of DM, BMI, ESR, cholesterol, LDL, HDL, TG, DAS 28,
FRRS, HB, creatinine) showed no statistically significant difference
among the atherosclerotic and non-atherosclerotic patients.
Hydroquine use was significantly more in the non -
atherosclerotic group.
In conclusion:
- The findings of the present study support the concept that
RA is a cardiovascular risk factor.
- RA disease is associated with significant incre.