الفهرس 
Rheumatoid arthritis activity and severity in relation to commonly used contraception methods in a cohort of Egyptian female patients
AbstractOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
 |  | from | 125 |  |  |
| | | from | 125 | | |
Abstract
Objective: The study was conducted to evaluate the associations between the use of commonly used contraceptive methods and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity and severity in a cohort of Egyptian female RA patients. Methods: Two hundred enrolled patients were divided into two groups; non-contraception users (50 patient) and contraception users (150 patients). The latter group was further subdivided into 89 patients who were intrauterine device (IUD) users, 45 oral contraceptives (OC) users and 16 injectables users. All patients underwent assessment by routine laboratory tests, Rheumatoid factor (RF) and antibodies to citrullinated protein antigens (ACPA). RA disease activity was assessed using DAS28/CRP while disease severity was assessed by using RASS. Bilateral hand x-rays were done and interpreted by the Short Erosion Scale (SES). Results: There was significantly higher ACPA titer among IUD users (p < 0.05), as well as, a longer disease duration compared to other methods users. The RASS was greater in injectables users (p < 0.01) in comparison to other methods users, but there was no significant differences regarding DAS28/CRP or SES between different contraceptive methods users. Additionally, total leucocyte count was higher in OC users compared to other methods (p < 0.05). Conclusion: There is an increased risk of ACPA positivity in women who are currently IUD users and an increased severity measured by the RASS among injectable users. However, there is no relation between RA activity and the currently used contraceptive methods. Mechanisms by which IUD could increase risk for RA-related autoimmunity need further study