Assessment of renal involvement in an Iraqi cohort of rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune chronic systemic inflammatory disease involves synovial joints but may involve extra-articular organ as well. Objectives: to determine the prevalence of indicators of renal involvement in patients with RA with implications of impact of related drugs on the kidney. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from May 1, 2019, to November 1, 2019, in the Outpatient Rheumatology Clinic of Hawler teaching hospital, Erbil, Iraq. One hundred and seventy-six patients with seropositive RA were enrolled, other 13 were dropped because of missing data. Participant's characteristics and data regarding drug history were collected. Body mass index (BMI), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and serum creatinine were measured; renal function was assessed from the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using the modification of diet in renal disease formula. Urine examined for proteinuria, microscopic hematuria, and noninfectious leucocyturia. When eGFR 0.5). Conclusions: Renal disorder is common in RA patients. Regular monitoring of renal involvement by using eGFR and urinary dipstick is crucial, especially in the elderly obese RA patients with a long duration of the disease and proteinuria. Early identification of renal disease can facilitate the early intervention and achieve the better management of RA patients.