In a nutshell
This study investigated ocular (eye) conditions (OCs) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). They found that OCs affect approximately 20% of patients with RA.
Some background
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic immune condition. It is caused by painful inflammation in the joints. This leads to joint damage and disability over time. Patients with RA have an overactive immune system. Immune cells produce chemicals and attack healthy joint tissue. Inflammation can be detected in the blood. Many people with RA have additional inflammatory conditions.
The eye is often affected by inflammation. Conditions that affect the eye are called ocular conditions (OCs). OCs are not commonly measured in patients with RA. It is unclear if OCs are common in patients with RA.
Methods & findings
This study reviewed 65 other studies on OCs in inflammatory conditions such as RA. A number of other inflammatory conditions were also analyzed in this study. The number of OCs reported in RA patients was compared across the studies.
OCs were reported in 15-22% of RA patients. The most common OC in RA patients was dry eye. This affected 11-20% of patients. Glaucoma (damage to the optic nerve) was also common (0-13%). OCs may be more common in adults (28%) with RA than in children (13%).
The bottom line
The authors concluded that OCs affected approximately one-fifth of the patients with RA.
The fine print
The data in the studies varied a lot. This makes it more difficult to observe trends. It is unclear if OCs are related to disease activity. More studies are needed to confirm the findings.
What’s next?
If you have any concerns regarding RA and related conditions, please discuss this with your physician.
Published By :
The Journal of Rheumatology
Date :
May 01, 2020
