Background: Rheumatoid Arthritis is one of the most common autoimmune disorders. Drugs used are only to slow the progression and to enhance the quality of life. These therapies have several disadvantages as lack of selectivity and it can cause loss of patient compliance.
Aim: To identify the most common type of infection, rheumatoid arthritis patients in our region encountered, while using biologics and/or traditional DMARDs.
Method: Cross-sectional study was carried out in Rheumatology clinics at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, included Rheumatic patients who visit the clinics from 2013 to 2017. Data sheet was including demographic, using drug and American College of Rheumatology classification criteria for RA were added.
Result: Total of 164 patients were included in this study, 18 (11%) males, and 146 (89%) females. Trends among the target sample showed that 40 (24.4%) had diabetes and 51(31.1%) had hypertension. Patients who had been taking both DMARDs and Biologics, DRMADs only, biologics only were 49 (29.9%), 74(45.1%) and 15(9.1%) respectively. The total number of the infections was 180, among them 62.78% were taking DMARDs only and the most common infection was lower urinary tract infections (UTI) 28(37.38%).
Conclusion: UTI have the highest rate of infection in patients using traditional DMARDs and patient using both drug groups. And we recommend conducting a cohort study to identify these infections. It can help in assessing their outcomes.