Abo And Rh Blood Group Distribution And Correlation In Adult Rheumatoid Patients

Abstract

Background : Blood group had been shown to correlate with some of the diseases. Earlier studies with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients had shown no significant correlations with ABO and Rh blood groups. We again endeavored to study for any correlations between blood groups and RA disease activity and disability it caused to the patients. Aim & Objectives : To determine the distribution of ABO & Rh blood group in patients with RA and to correlate the severity of RA with blood group phenotypes. Material And Methods : First 100 eligible RA patients attending the Rheumatology Clinic, RIMS, Imphal were studied. Their disease activity score (DAS-28 score), health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) score were circulated. ABO grouping and Rh typing were done. The healthy blood donors were taken as controls. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 16. Results & Observations : 92 female patients and 8 male patients (F:M = 11.5:1) were studied. The mean age was 46.67+ 9.82 years. Out of the 100 RA patients 32% had A+ve blood group; 32% B+ve; 28% O+ve and 8% AB+ve showing similar distributions of blood groups among healthy controls (blood donors). There was significantly (p<0.05) high DAS-28 score in A+ve and AB+ve RA patients. Significant (p<0.05) moderate to severe disability score in O+ve RA patients found in A+ve and severe disability score in O+ve patients. Conclusions : This study shows no significant correlation between ABO-Rh blood groups and RA. However, there are significant correlation between blood groups and disease activity and patient disability scores. Further studies are suggested.