Assessment of rheumatoid arthritis and associated risk factors among patients attending Kibungo level two teaching hospital

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that primarily affects the joints, but can affect other parts of the body causing inflammation, pain, stiffness, and joint damage. It affects approximately 1% of the global population. The objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis and risk factors associated with rheumatoid arthritis among patients attending Kibungo level two teaching hospital. The retrospective study extracted data from January, 2018 to January 2023 and the cross-sectional part assessed risk factors associated to rheumatoid arthritis using questionnaire by telephone calls. Data collected were analyzed statistically using SPSS version 25. In this study the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis was 43.20%. Across sex, females were more affected than males (44.2% and 40.0%, respectively). Binary logistic regression was used to assess the association between RA and risk factors. Age groups, C-Reactive Protein, red meat consumption showed significant association with RA (OR = 1.566, p = 0.008; OR = 1.299, p = 0.013; OR = 2.599, p < 0.001). The study was limited since it only included the participants at Kibungo Level two Teaching hospital, hence not having large population. Carrying out country wide studies regarding to the rheumatoid arthritis and associated risk factors on large population in order to establish epidemiologic data in Rwanda is highly recommended.
 Keywords: Rheumatoid arthritis, risk factors, C-Reactive Protein, Rheumatoid Factor