Mucocutaneous manifestations in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A cross sectional study

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this research was to determine the various dermatosis patterns among a cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.Methodology: Patients who met the 1987 revised criteria for the classification of rheumatoid arthritis as established by the American Rheumatism Association and presented with various dermatoses were recruited to participate in this cross-sectional study. A comprehensive clinical assessment and relevant laboratory examinations were conducted as required. The data were entered into a predetermined schedule, and the corresponding statistical analysis was conducted.Results: Total 100 patients were recruited for the study. The prominent cutaneous manifestation in our study was Xerosis 27 (27%) followed by Pigmented purpuric dermatoses 15 (15%), Dermatophytosis 14 (14%), Leg ulcer 10 (10%), Periungual telangiectasia 10 (10%), Candidiasis 9 (9%), Rheumatoid-nodules 8 (8%), Purpura and ecchymoses 7 (7%), Small vessel vasculitis 7 (7%), Corn and callosity 6 (6%), Onychomycosis 6 (6%), Palmar erythema 4 (4%), Neutrophilic dermatosis 4 (4%), Skin atrophy 4 (4%), Panniculitis 3 (3%), Pyoderma 3 (3%), Raynaud’s phenomenon 3(3%), Chronic urticarial 2(2%), Erythema multiforme 2 (2%), Steroid-induced acneform 2(2%), eruption 2(2%), Granuloma telangiectaticum 1 (1%), Hemorrhagic vesicle 1 (1%), Livedoid vasculopathy 1 (1%). Methotrexate-induced mucositis 1 (1%), Hyperpigmentation 1 (1%), Herpes zoster1 (1%), Digital gangrene 1 (1%).Conclusion: Although certain aspects of this study exhibited similarities to data from the West, there were also discrepancies in other aspects that could potentially be attributed to ethnic variations among the patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.