OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGICAL FINDINGS INRHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (RA) PATIENTS

Rheumatoid arthritis is a persistent inflammatory illness that impairs joint function by destroying cartilage and causing synovitis. It is a debilitating illness that affects every joint in the body. Additionally, it manifests extra-articularly, impacting the auditory system as well as ENT manifestation. Regarding Laryngeal Symptoms, dysphonia or changes in voice quality can be caused by autoimmune illnesses in general and RA in particular. These changes can be caused by either functional or anatomical l modifications.Material and Method: 60 adults with rheumatoid arthritis classified into two groups the 1st group have disease duration less than or equal to 5 years and the 2nd group is more than 5 years. Disease activity was assessed using DAS 28 (Disease activity score). The entire patient underwent otoscopic examination of ears & Laryngeal examination as well asfull audiological evaluation including pure tone and speech audiometry and immetencemetryin the form of tympanometry and acoustic reflexes to assess middle function. Results: A total of 60 patients, 40 patients with a disease duration of less than or equal to five years (1st group). The 2nd group had disease duration of more than five years they were 20 patients. In RA patients the disease activity score was done using DAS-28 CRP, the first group with mean 5.3±1.3, the second group had a mean 5.9± 1.4. As for the Otorhinolaryngological findings we found that otalgia &myringo sclerosis and rhinogrnic findings there are no significant difference between the two groups. As regard laryngeal findings there are no significant difference between the two groups as regard edema, GERD and laryngeal swellings. Hearing loss was present in 16 (40%) patients in the first group and 17(85%) patients in the second group with highly significant difference between the two groups,there was direct correlation between disease duration &degree of hearing loss. Conclusion: our research revealed that the duration of RA had little bearing on laryngeal findings. On the other hand, the length of the illness had an effect on rhinogenic findings. Additionally, duration of RA and hearing test showed a direct association.