THE PREVALENCE OF EYE INVOLVEMENTS IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS AND THEIR CORRELATION WITH ANTI-CYCLIC CITRULLINATED PEPTIDE ANTIBODY IN SULAIMANI GOVERNORATE/IRAQ

Volume 13 , Issue 2 , July 2025 , Pages 191-201

Authors

Rawand Ali Mustafa 1 ; Raouf Rahim Mirza 1 ; Hemn Raof Rasool 2

1 Sulaymaniyah Directory of Health, Sulaimani, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.

2 Shaheed Aso Eye Hospital, Sulaymaniyah Directory of Health, Ministry of Health, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.

DOI logo 10.17656/jsmc.10412

Keywords

Abstract

Background
Rheumatoid arthritis is a common autoinflammatory disease that affects the joints and causes several extraarticular problems, including ocular involvement, which typically manifests in the anterior ocular region.
The anti-CCP has a sensitivity comparable to the rheumatoid factor and higher specificity for identifying the
disease.
Objectives
To estimate the prevalence of eye involvements in Rheumatoid arthritis and their correlation to the anti-cyclic
citrullinated peptide antibody.
Patients and Methods
A cross-sectional study of 121 patients who satisfied the 2010 ACR/EULAR RA Classification Criteria (6/10 or
more points) were between 18 and 60. After establishing a patient’s medical history and physical examination,
blood samples were collected to test for anti-CCP antibodies, and an eye exam was conducted.
Results
There were significantly more females than males;104 (86%) were female, and 17 (14%) were males. The
median age was 47(42−53.5) years. The median disease duration was 4(2−10) years. The mean disease activity
was 3.86 ±1, and the median anti-cyclic citrullinated antibody titers were 29.18(16.75−133.35) U/ml. The overall
eye complications typical of Rheumatoid arthritis were observed in 37 (30.6%) and 84 (69.4%) without eye
involvement. Dry eyes were the most frequent eye complaint (29.8%). One instance with episcleritis (0.8%).
One with filamentary keratitis (0.8%). Anterior uveitis was detected in two cases (1.7%). Eye involvement
correlated with anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (P- value 0.004).
Conclusion
Eye manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis were a prominent part of extra-articular manifestation. The dry eye
was the most apparent manifestation, and they correlated to the anti-CCP antibody.

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  • First online26 July 2025
  • Published at26 July 2025

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