Literature review of rheumatoid arthritis in India. (14th July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Handa, Rohini; Rao, U.R.K.; Lewis, Juliana F. M.; Rambhad, Gautam; Shiff, Susan; Ghia, Canna J.
• Is Part Of: International journal of rheumatic diseases. Volume 19:Number 5(2016)
• Page Start: 440
• Page End: 451
• Publication Date: 2015-07-14
• Subjects: India -- literature review -- rheumatoid arthritis; Rheumatology -- Periodicals; Rheumatology -- Asia -- Periodicals; Rheumatology -- Pacific Area -- Periodicals; Rheumatic Diseases -- Periodicals; Connective Tissue Diseases -- Periodicals; Immune System Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.723
• DOI: 10.1111/1756-185X.12621
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1756-1841

Abstract

Abstract: Aim: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can lead to severe disability. This literature review assessed the descriptive epidemiology, comorbidities and extra‐articular manifestations, functioning abilities and quality of life, and treatment patterns of RA patients in India. Method: A literature review of all observational studies published from 1985 to 2012 was conducted using MEDLINE and Embase. Quantitative and qualitative findings were summarized. Results: Twenty‐eight studies were identified for data extraction. Seven described the descriptive epidemiology of RA, 14 described comorbidities and extra‐articular manifestations, nine described the functioning abilities and quality of life among patients, and 10 provided information on treatments. Conclusion: This review is confined to studies with small sample sizes, cross‐sectional designs, and/or clinical settings that may not be representative of the entire Indian population. There is a need for more robust studies, as conclusions for the entire Indian RA population cannot be drawn from only the current observational studies.