COMORBIDITY COMORBIDITY AND RHEUMA AND RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS THRITIS

<p>Rheumatoid arthritis is a complex disease, which produces articular symptoms and damage, leading to disability. The aim of the study was the estimate frequency comorbidity, functional ability of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.This study included 60 patients (48 female and 12 male) with rheumatoid arthritis, mean age 53,92±7,06. Anatomical stage and functional class were analyzed according to Steinbrocker`s criteria. Functional disability was perfo-rmed using health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) score. Comorbidity was observed in 36 (60%) of patients (33 female and 3 male). Hypertension were found in 19 (31,67%) of patients, whereas 8 (13,33%) of patients had diabetes. It was established that 7(11,67%) of patients suffered osteoarthritis. The median HAQ score was 1,25±0,70. Poorer functional status was observed in 40% of the patients with comorbidity (HAQ score ≥2), than in the group of patients without comorbidity (21,67 %). The results of the study are showing large frequency coexisting disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The frequency of hypertension and diabetes was greater comparing to general population. The patients with rheumatoid arthritis show harder anatomical stage and comorbidity and greater functional disability, as compared to the patients without coexisting disease.</p>