Rheumatoid Arthritis and the Relationship of the Disease to Sex and Age and Some Hematological Variables for Affected Patients

Abstract

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) disease is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease and the reasons for its occurrence are not completely clear, and the disease targets the peripheral joints in an inconsistent manner, and its symptoms include the patient's feeling of fatigue, malaise, and stiffness in the morning in general, and its effect extends to sites located outside the joints Including the skin, the heart, the lungs and the eyes. And it causes joint damage in addition to side effects that lead to a disease that may sometimes cause death (Aaran et al, 2003). It is believed that the cause of the disease is infectious pathogens such as Mycoplasma, Epstein-Barr virus, and Parvovirus. However, none of the organisms has been confirmed as the cause of this disease. There are several autoimmune responses that have correlation with the disease, and these responses may be the first or second cause of the disease (Burtis and Ashwood, 1994). While other studies confirm that (RA) has an important genetic cause has been identified in 95% of patients. The occurrence of cell synovial overgrowth and endothelial cell activity during the onset of the disease lead to progression of uncontrolled infections and destruction or damage to cartilage and bones at the joint site. Genetic factors and a deviation or imbalance in the immune system contribute to the occurrence and development of the disease (Noskov et al, 2004). The incidence of the disease is about (3) cases per 10,000 people, and it affects all groups without exception and is more prevalent in the Native American population (American Indians), where the infection rate reaches between 5-6% and is less prevalent in the population of people of African descent (blacks). The disease may cause a shortening of the patient’s life by (5-10) years than his peers, and it affects females by (2-3) times that of males, and his age period is an upper limit recorded from (35-50) years, but this does not prevent Incidence in children and the elderly (Majithia and Geraci., 2007; Bessiere et al., 2001).