Abstract

Subjects with autoantibody rheumatoid factor (RF) have strong association with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and have an increased prevalence of Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD). Presence of RF in general population may also share an increased likelihood of developing IHD and that RF may have a special role in the pathogenesis of IHD. Objective: To analyse RF as an independent and additional risk factor for IHD in general population. Methods: A cross sectional observational study was conducted on fifty patients with rheumatoid arthritis with RF positive status, attending S.S Hospital, Davangere during the study period and evaluated for IHD by ECG. All subjects included in the study had been explained about the procedure and valid informed written consent was taken.Those who are included in the study were also evaluated for traditional risk factors like h/o Diabetes, smoking (in the past / present), family h/o IHD and were clinically examined for Hypertension ,BMI for Obesity and features of RA. Results: Among 50 patients with RF positivity, 18 (36%) were males and 32 (64%) were females. 8 patients had ischemic changes in ECG, out of which, 6 (75%) were males and 2 (25%) were females. Among 8 patients with ischemic changes, 6 patients had traditional risk factors, 4 were males (75%) and 2 were females (25%). In addition, 2 patients without traditional risk factors had ischemic changes and both of them were males. Conclusion: RF per se can be considered as an independent risk factor for IHD in men and if associated with traditional risk factors, it increases the prevalence of IHD. However, more female patients have RF positivity, they are not vulnerable to IHD

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