Rheumatologie: Aktuelle Forschung
Offener Zugang
ISSN: 2161-1149 (Printed)
ISSN: 2161-1149 (Printed)
Souhaïbou Ndongo, Joelle Tiendrebeogo, Abdoulaye Pouye, Fernando K Lekpa and Mamadou M Ka
Objective: It was to compare the epidemiological, clinical and immunobiological aspects of a Senegalese RA population over 60 years, with a young RA population.
Patients and Methods: This prospective study took place between June 1, 2007, and May 31, 2010. It covered the records of all RA patients admitted during this period. RA was diagnosed on the basis of ACR criteria. We conducted a comparative study of all cases. Patients were divided into two groups according to the age of symptom onset: below age 60 and above age 60.
Results: One hundred ninety-two cases were collected from a total of 2134 patients seen in the rheumatology outpatient clinic. Our population included 174 women and 18 men, which identifies a sex ratio of 0.1. The mean age at diagnosis was of 40.5 years. In 181 patients, the age at symptom onset could be accurately determined. The group of young subjects included 162 patients, whereas 19 patients comprised the group of elderly subjects. The sex ratios in the two groups were respectively 0.08 and 0.33. The average DAS 28 score was significantly lower in the elderly group. Ulnar deviation was significantly more common in younger patients, unlike other deformations which were more common in the elderly.
Conclusion: The elderly subjects’ RA represents 10.5% of the RA population with a sex ratio of 0.33 against 0.08 for young subjects. Joint deformations are more important on younger subjects, but with a lower activity at diagnosis.