Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hypertension among patients of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Methods: We conducted this retrospective study at Chaudhary Muhammad Akram Teaching and Research Hospital, affiliated with Azra Naheed Medical College, Superior University Lahore Pakistan. We diagnosed RA on the 2010 ACR criteria. We labeled hypertension as either blood pressure readings exceeding 140/90 mmHg on two separate occasions, a prior diagnosis of hypertension, or a history of antihypertensive medication use. We diagnosed T2DM based on a fasting blood sugar level greater than 126 mg/dL, a random blood sugar level greater than 200 mg/dL, a prior diagnosis of diabetes, or the use of antidiabetic medication. The study reviewed data from 110 patients aged 21 to 80 years with rheumatoid arthritis, collected between January and December 2023, excluding those with incomplete records, defined as missing essential data on blood pressure, blood sugar or diagnoses, or a history of biologic Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drug (DMARD) use, which refers to medications targeting the immune system to slow RA progression. Data collected included age, gender, RA duration, disease severity (DAS-28 score), and the presence of T2DM and hypertension. Analysis was conducted using SPSS 23.
Results: Mean age was 42.1 ± 13.9 years; 84.5% were female. Mean RA duration was 8.0 ± 6.4 years, with 54.5% having RA for 6 years or more. T2DM was present in 42 (38.2%) patients. Hypertension was present in 39 (35.5%) patients. Co-existence of both T2DM and hypertension was seen in 30 (27.3%) patients. Significant association for both T2DM and hypertension was seen with age (p < 0.001) and RA disease duration (p < 0.005). No significant association was seen with gender or RA disease severity.
Conclusion: More than one-third of RA patients had T2DM and hypertension, with over a quarter affected by both conditions. This highlights the importance of regular monitoring for these comorbidities in RA patients.

Key words: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, DAS-28 score, Rheumatology, Pakistan.