PREVALENCE OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS AND ASSOCIATED COMORBIDITIES IN ALLIED HOSPITAL FAISALABAD, PAKISTAN

Objective: To determine prevalence and associated comorbidities of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) among patients visiting rheumatology department of Allied hospital Faisalabad, Pakistan. Methodology: A retrospective study was conducted at the Rheumatology department of Allied Hospital Faisalabad, Pakistan. Total 1200 medical records were reviewed. Patients of 16 years old and above of both gender were included in study. Data was analyzed by SPSS. Results: Among 1200 patients with rheumatic symptoms, 543(45.2%) patients were diagnosed cases of RA. Prevalence rate was higher among females 412(77.5%) , mostly fall in 31-45years age group as compared to males 131(24.1%). Hypertension 124 (22.8%), diabetes mellitus 211 (38.8%) and ischemic heart disease 89 (16.39%) were majorly reported comorbidities associated with rheumatoid arthritis