study of iron status in rheumatoid arthritis patients and its correlation with disease activity

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted on 40 subjects, 30 patients with rheumatoid arthritis [R.A. Group] with disease duration 1-16 years and normal healthy persons [control group]. All subjects had full clinical examination including articular index score and laboratory investigations. 15 of the R. A. patients [50%] were shown to have anemia. In 5 patients [33.3%], it was iron deficiency anemia, while in 10 patients [66.7%], it was anemia of chronic disorders. Statistical comparison revealed significant increase in the ESR [p < 0.005] in the group of nonanemic R. A. patients as compared to the control group. Correlation studies of the 10 R. A. patients with anemia of chronic disorders [with normal or raised serum ferritin level] showed that a nonsignificant correlation was found between disease duration and each of Hb, serum iron and serum ferritin. A significant inverse correlation was found between Hb level and each of the parameters of disease activity [morning stiffness, articular index and ESR] i.e. The more the disease activity the more the degree of anemia, while nonsignificant correlation was found with serum iron and serum ferritin. It was concluded that in R.A. patients, anemia is a common feature being present in 50% of the patients. The degree of anemia corresponded with R. A. activity. Serum ferritin is a good indicator of iron stores and hence is valuable in the differentiation between these 2 types of anemia. Thus, serum ferritin can be used as an indicator of iron responsive anemia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis