Iron Status in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

This project was carried out to evaluate disturbances of Iron metabolic in patients of Rheumatoid Arthritis. A total number of fifty patients were evaluated. The cues understudy were compared with twenty healthy controls severity of Rheumatoid Arthritis was grade according to the criteria of American Rheumatisum association into mild moderate and severe. There were five patients (10%) with mild 32(640%) moderate and 13(26%) severe disease Moderate cases (64%) showed normocytic normochromic anaemias, whereas Iron deficiency anaemia nu seen in severe (26%) cases Serum iron, TIBC, serum Ferritin and red cell ferritin levels were carried out in all the patient. Serum Iron level was lowered in patients but, TIBC was normal. 15(30%) patients had a high serum ferritin, whereas red cell ferritin was normal. 13(26%) patients having iron deficiency also had low red cell ferritin levels. In this study we conclude that iron metabolism is disturbed in rheumatoid. Arthritis and red cell ferritin is better indicator of Iron stores as compared to the serum ferritin as red cell ferritin level is not influenced by inflammatory process of rheumatoid Arthritis.