Abstract

Comorbidities in rheumatoid arthritis: the RBSMR study

Author(s): Haddani FZ, Guich A, Youssoufi T, Boudhar EM, Abouqal R, Achemlal L, Allali F, Bahiri R, Bouchti EI, Maghraoui EI, Ghozlani I, Harzy T, Hmamouchi I, Ichchou L, Mkinsi O, Niamane R & Hassikou H

Objective: The objectives of this study are as follows: to define the profile of comorbidities during rheumatoid arthritis; deduce the predictive factors for their occurrence and their impact on the activity and severity of the disease. Methods: 225 patients followed for rheumatoid arthritis, meeting the ACR/EULAR 2010 criteria under biotherapy, included in the national biotherapy register. We proceeded to group patients into 2 groups: patients with and without co-morbidities in order to study the prevalence of co-morbidities, their predictors of occurrence and the correlation between these co-morbidities, the activity and the severity of the disease. Results: The average age was 51.94 years ± 11.36 (20-80) with a female predominance of 87.6%, the average duration of evolution was 737.8 weeks with an average diagnostic delay of 719.5 weeks. The average SAR 28 (crp) was 3.5 ± 1.39. Corticosteroid therapy was noted in 94.2%, with an average cumulative dose of 37,360 mg. The average body mass index was 27.56 kg/m2. At least comorbidity was present in 67.1% of patients, the most common of which was osteoporosis (22.7%). The presence of comorbidity was associated with a longer duration of development (p=0.001) and positive rheumatoid serology (p=0.049). Likewise, they were more frequent among women without a profession. Conclusion: Our study confirms the high prevalence of comorbidities during rheumatoid arthritis, hence the importance of screening them for better management.