Publication:

Study of microalbuminuria in patients of rheumatoid arthritis and its correlation with erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C - reactive protein and rheumatoid factor

Background Subclinical renal dysfunction and microalbuminuria are common in rheumatoid arthritis patients particularly with long standing disease and with severe disease activity. Despite the degree of interest shown in detection of microalbuminuria and its prognostic implications, the determinants of elevated urinary albumin excretion have not been studied well. This study was done to assess the subclinical renal involvement in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) patients.

Methods This cross-sectional study involving 50 patients attending attending the out-patient departments of Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital, MLN Medical College, Prayagraj, U.P diagnosed with RA by modified ACR criteria (2010).

Results The mean age of the cases was 41.96 years (SD 10.80), of them 74% were females and 26% were males. MA was found in 15 patients (30%), of them. In MA positive group, mean ESR was 69.46±27.14, and CRP positive patients were 13 (86%), RA Factor positive patients were 12 (80%) and as compared to 31.28±5.03, 11 (32%), 14 (40%) respectively in MA negative group (p <0.05 in all cases). Microalbuminuria was significantly correlated with ESR, CRP and RA factor (p value <0.05).

Conclusions Presence of microalbuminuria indicates severe disease activity and long-standing rheumatoid arthritis. Microalbuminuria was found to be significantly correlated with disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis as assessed by ESR, CRP, RA Factor and anti CCP.