Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic inflammatory disease, affecting 1-2% of the population worldwide. Most chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases are complicated by hematologic abnormalities. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may suffer from a variety of hematologic disorders, particularly anemia, leukopenia, and thrombocytosis.

Aim: To study the prevalence of hematological manifestations in patients with seropositive Rheumatoid Arthritis in a tertiary care centre in South Kerala.

Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 50-60 seropositive Rheumatoid arthritis patients who have visited the Medicine OP of the institution over a period of 1 year. After detailed clinical examination, a complete haemogram, ESR, Peripheral smear, Serum Ferritin, TIBC and Stool Occult Blood were done in these patients. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 16.

Results: Among the 50 patients enrolled in the study most common hematological manifestation was anaemia which was seen in 60% of the patients. Iron deficiency anemia was more prevalent than anemia of chronic disease which was found in 33% of the patients with seropositive Rheumatoid arthritis. Anaemia was common in patients with disease duration more than 5 years. 2% of the patients had thrombocytosis. Another finding was the high prevalence of stool occult positivity in Iron deficiency anemia indicating that chronic GI blood loss due to drug induced gastritis may be the cause for iron deficiency anemia.

Conclusion: The most common type of hematological abnormality in Rheumatoid arthritis is anemia and most common type is Iron deficiency anemia. So early screening, diagnosis and appropriate treatment will reduce the incidence and thus reduce the mortality associated with hematological manifestations with rheumatoid arthritis.

Keywords: Rheumatoid arthritis, Hematological manifestations, Anemia.

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Dr Udayamma KP

Associate Professor Dept of Medicine,

Govt TD Medical College, Vandanam PO, Alappuzha 688005

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