Abstract

The current study aims to find out the prevalence of thyroid dysfunctions in patients of rheumatoid arthritis. Material and methods: A Observational Cross sectional study was conducted among 100 diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis patients attending the rheumatology OPD/Medicine OPD at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Hospital, Rohini, New Delhi. Blood samples were obtained from the patients who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria and blood was sent to the laboratory for the measurement of RF (rheumatoid factor), anti CCP (Anti cyclic citrullinated protein antibody), CRP (C reactive protein) and ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate). Results: In our study, 81% of the patients had euthyroid. While 19% of the patients had thyroid dysfunctions. Among them, 12% had subclinical hypothyroidism, 3% had overt hypothyroidism ,2% had subclinical hyperthyroidism and 2 % had overt hyperthyroidism. Abnormal anti CCP was found in 43.2%, 100%, 100%, 100% and 66.7% among euthyroidism, overt hyperthyroidism, overt hypothyroidism, subclinical hyperthyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism respectively. Abnormal ESR was found in 69.1%, 100%, 100%, 100% and 91.7% among euthyroidism, overt hyperthyroidism, overt hypothyroidism, subclinical hyperthyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism respectively. Comparison of ESR and thyroid dysfunctions showed statistically significant result. Abnormal CRP was found in 49.4%, 100%, 100%, 50% and 58.3% among euthyroidism, overt hyperthyroidism, overt hypothyroidism, subclinical hyperthyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism respectively. Conclusion- The inflammatory markers were increased in reported in RA patients with thyroid dysfunction has been significantly higher than that of the RA patients with euthyroidism.

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