A Comparison of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients in Kuwait with Other Populations: Results from the KRRD Registry | Chapter 07 | Innovations in Medicine and Medical Research Vol. 1
Objective: Data on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Kuwait and The Middle East is scarce. Available data from Western countries may not be representative of the region. We describe RA patients in Kuwait and compare them with other RA populations and with Kuwaiti general population. Methods: Adult RA patients from Kuwait Registry for Rheumatic Diseases (KRRD), the first RA registry in The Middle East, were studied from February 2013 through February 2015. Demographic, clinical and serologic data were compared with other RA populations and with Kuwaiti general population. Results: 835 patients were enrolled, 62.3% female. Mean age 50.6±12 years and disease duration 6.1±6 years. RA was diagnosed at a mean age of 44.9±12 years. 17.1% had family history of autoimmune rheumatic diseases. 3.1% had rheumatoid nodules. Rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-citrullinated peptide (ACPA) were detected in 75.6% and 57.8%, respectively. Both were positive in 49% (r=0.287, p=0.001). ANA was posit...