0
0
A recent study highlights a concerning link between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and anemia, with more than half of RA patients affected by the condition. The study, led by Jamal Shah, M.B.B.S., from Khyber Teaching Hospital in Peshawar, Pakistan, was published online on October 26, 2024, in the medical journal Cureus.
In 2023, Shah and his team examined 330 RA patients presenting at a tertiary care hospital to determine the prevalence of anemia. The findings revealed that 54.55% of participants had anemia. The average hemoglobin level among these patients was recorded at 11.41 g/dL, and their red blood cell count was 4.26 million/µL.
The researchers also found that patients with anemia exhibited higher disease activity. The Disease Activity Score (DAS) was significantly higher in the anemic group, averaging 5.23 compared to 4.98 in those without anemia. Additionally, most anemic patients showed elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) levels, which are common markers of inflammation. Specifically, 83.33% of anemic patients had elevated CRP (mean CRP of 28.79 mg/L), and 88.89% showed an elevated ESR (mean ESR of 45.17 mm/hour).
The study also found associations between anemia and factors such as longer disease duration, higher severity of RA, and increased levels of inflammatory markers. These results emphasize the need for routine screening for anemia in RA patients, particularly those with severe or prolonged disease.
The authors stress that managing anemia could potentially improve patient outcomes and quality of life. “These findings underscore the critical importance of routine screening and management of anemia in RA patients,” the researchers wrote. “Addressing anemia could enhance overall patient outcomes, particularly for those with long-standing or severe RA.”
Looking ahead, the researchers suggest that further studies should focus on exploring the mechanisms linking RA and anemia, with an emphasis on longitudinal research to better understand these associations over time. Additionally, evaluating the effectiveness of anemia treatments in improving RA patient health could prove valuable in managing these intertwined conditions.
For further details, refer to the original study: Jamal Shah et al, “Prevalence of Anemia in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis Presenting at Multi-organization Tertiary Care Hospitals,” Cureus, 2024. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.72418.
