Abstract

CIGARETTE SMOKING AND RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS DISEASE SEVERITY

*Dr. Nuha Abdul Whab Muhammed Ali and Dr. Suzan Ihsan Shakir

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Cigarette smoking may influence rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease incidence and may have direct biological effect on lungs and systemically this study sought to determine if cigarette smoking is associated with RA disease severity. Methods: Ninety patients with established RA answered a structural questionnaire that included detailed information about their smoking history. The patients were also evaluated clinically and radiologically. RA disease severity was assessed by radiographic bone erosions (graded as either present / absent) rheumatoid factor seropositivity, and presence of subcutaneous rheumatoid nodules. Result: Cigarette smoking was associated with seropositive disease (p. value = 0.02) radiographic erosions (p. value = 0.02) and nodules (p. value = 0.004). Conclusion: Cigarette smoking may adversely influence the severity of RA.

Keywords: The patients were also evaluated clinically and radiologically.