22
Feb
Rheumatoid Arthritis Pericardial Effusion. However they are rarely the presenting symptom of the disease. Pericardial effusion is rare occurrence in patients of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Pakistani Population although not with the same frequency as in the Western world. Rheumatoid arthritis according to the diagnostic criteria of the American Rheumatism Association 1959. Echocardiography and electrocardiography were performed in 87 consecutive patients with RA.
Echocardiography and electrocardiography were performed in 87 consecutive patients with RA. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and clinical correlates of asymptomatic pericardial effusion PE detected by echocardiography in patients with rheumatoid arthritis RA. Granirer 1946 underthetitle pericardialeffusion in rheumatoid arthritis reported the case ofa manfrom pericarditis rheumatoid in arthritis. The composition of the pleural and pericardial fluid in rheumatoid arthritis is of interest. It is essentially a sign of pericardial involvement of the rheumatoid disease but viral bacterial and especially tuberculous pericarditis must not be excluded. Glucose concentrations below 20 mg percent in pleural effusions free of AFB and bacteria have been said to be almost diagnostic of rheumatoid disease.
Anti-nuclear antibodies IgM-rheumatoid factor and anti-citrullinated peptide anti-CCP.
However they are rarely the presenting symptom of the disease. In our case the pericardial effusion was loculated and caused pericardial tamponade a rare complication of RA. However they are rarely the presenting symptom of the disease. The use of an aetiological evaluation strategy in patients with pericardial effusion may help in diagnosing RA early including a thorough physical examination and antibody screening ie. Glucose concentrations below 20 mg percent in pleural effusions free of AFB and bacteria have been said to be almost diagnostic of rheumatoid disease2 This appears to be due to a specific defect in a transport mechanism. The composition of the pleural and pericardial fluid in rheumatoid arthritis is of interest.