Risk factor assessment of rheumatoid arthritis in North Kerala

Abstract

Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a multifactorial disease; it leads to disabling and painful chron-ic inflammatory arthritis. Its onset may be delayed or even prevented by modifying the risk factorsinvolved. Many genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors are implicated in the pathogenesis ofRA. The objectives of this case-control study were to assess various risk factors in our population andto compare the same with age- and sex-matched controls.Methods: We studied 118 cases with RA diagnosed using the EULAR criteria. In total, 581 age- and sex-matched controls were selected. Each individual was administered a separate questionnaire regard-ing their risk factors (known risk factors were studied). The implicated dietary factors were incorporat-ed in a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and administered to both cases and controls. Comparisonwas made between those who consume an item at a particular frequency, who consume less, andwho consume nothing at all. Among those who consume, each group was re-compared. Statisticalanalysis was conducted using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (IBM Corp.; Armonk, NY, USA).Results: There was significant relationship for family history, periodontitis, history of chikungunya, andsun exposure (p