The Impact of Rheumatoid Arthritis on Cardiovascular Health
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31185/wjps.815Keywords:
Rheumatoid Arthritis, CBC, Cardiovascular Health, Lipid ProfileAbstract
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease caused by immune system dysfunction, characterized by an inflammatory response that affects joints and may extend to other organs like the heart. The exact cause of the disease is unknown, but it is believed to be linked to genetic, environmental, and some types of bacterial infections. It affects both sexes and people of all ages, with a higher prevalence among women. Symptoms often begin in the joints of the hands and feet and then extend to the knees and arms. This study assessed the risk of heart disease among rheumatoid arthritis patients in Wasit Governorate. The sample included 90 participants aged between 30-60 years, divided into two groups: a patient group (60 individuals diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis) and a control group (30 healthy individuals). The results showed that the percentage of women with rheumatoid arthritis was significantly higher than that of men (73.3% versus 26.7%). The majority of rheumatoid arthritis patients were obese (70.0%) or overweight (21.7%), with a small percentage of those with normal weight (8.3%). Hematological parameters showed a significant increase in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in patients of both sexes compared to healthy controls. There were also differences in basic hematological parameters, such as red blood cell count, white blood cell count, hemoglobin, and platelets. RA patients had higher levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), while significantly lower levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were observed compared to the healthy control group.
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