RA FACTOR AND CRP: MARKERS FOR RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Nitika Sharma*, Dr. Arun Kumar Gupta, Amit Kumar Singh, Mukesh Kumar Singh

ABSTRACT

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is chronic disease involving mostly small joints of hand and feet. Antibody – antigen reaction are used for diagnosis. The correct choice and interpretation of these tests depends on detailed knowledge of patients. The aim of our study was to assess serum CRP and RA factor as marker for RA. The study was conducted at department of microbiology, Teerthanker Mahaveer Medical College and Research Centre, Moradabad. In total, 100 patients were included. 88% of samples were positive for CRP and 77% for RA factor. Among 88% patients, 28.4% were male and 71.6% were female whereas in 77% cases of RA, 27.2% were males and 72.8% were female. There was significant association of gender with CRP (p < 0.05).The frequency of positive result was high in age group 41-50 years for both CRP (30.7%) and RA factor (26.1%).The association was found significant between age group and CRP only (p<0.01). When the association between CRP and RA factor was determined, it was found highly significant (p<0.001). RA factor and CRP are the markers used for diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. RA factor is more specific and can be detectable in serum only in conditions of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Keywords: RA (Rheumatoid arthritis), CRP (C- reactive protein), antibody, antigen.