Significance of antinuclear antibody in Indian patients with rheumatoid arthritis

This study aimed to understand the differences in disease duration, serological parameters, extra Articular Manifestation and treatment of Indian RA patients depending upon antinuclear antibody (ANA) positivity. This study was planned as a cross-sectional observational study, wherein 184 patients 18 years and above diagnosed as RA and tested for Antinuclear Antibody, who reported for consultation at rheumatology department of Medanta –The Medicity hospital from August 2020 to February 2022 were enrolled in this study. Patient’s demographic data, present complains, extra –articular features, seronegative features, associated medical conditions like CAD, HTN, DM, Tuberculosis, hypothyroidism etc, family history current and previous was collected on the day of consultation with physician. Cross tables were generated and Chi square test was used for testing of association for comparison between groups. The study included 184 patients of RA. ANA positivity rate was 45.1% (n=83). The majority of the patients were female- 155(84.2%). There was no significant association was observed between the study groups in terms of gender, mean age, mean age of onset, and median disease duration.