WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

Dr. Rafal Tariq Saeed Al-Feel*, Dr. Jasim Mohammed Tayeb and Dr. Noor Fawwaz Mohammed Al-Qaddo

ABSTRACT

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a long-term inflammatory condition affecting the joints that can also cause extra-articular symptoms. Heart-related conditions such as pericarditis, myocarditis, cardiomyopathy, coronary vasculitis, cardiac amyloidosis, arrhythmia, valve disorders, and, most crucially, ischemic heart disease, and congestive heart failure are included in those extra-articular aspects. In comparison to the overall population, RA is interrelated to a higher mortality rate, with cardiovascular illnesses accounting for the bulk of these deaths. Objective: To evaluate the frequency of echocardiographic findings in individuals who have been officially diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Patients and Method: This cross-sectional study included 50 patients (42 females and 8 males) who were detected with RA based on the ACR/EULAR diagnostic criteria for rheumatoid arthritis. Interviews and questionnaires were used to gather data. Age, gender, length of illness, drugs taken at the moment, rheumatoid factor, anti-CCP, and hemoglobin level. Transthoracic echocardiography was used to assess each individual in order to identify any structural or functional heart abnormalities. Results: The patients' mean age was 49.53±11.55 years. In 26 cases (52%), echocardiographic anomalies were discovered. Diastolic dysfunction was the most prevalent abnormality found on echocardiograms. Conclusion: According to this study, RA patients' cardiac involvement is significantly more common.

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