Fator reumatoide e proteína C reativa na investigação de artrite reumatoide em idosos

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the serum levels of C - reactive protein (CRP) and rheumatoid factor (RF) in the elderly of an asylum in the municipality of Trindade - GO. Relate the same to the clinical symptoms described in the questionnaires of the population studied in the investigation of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). RA is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects people of any age group, usually with peak between the 4th and 6th decades in women. Studies show that this disease affects women two to three times more than men, and genetic, environmental and hormonal factors have a direct influence on their evolution. The symptoms are due to the prolonged inflammatory picture causing deformities and functional incapacity. Laboratory tests are paramount in the diagnosis of RA. This research has a cross - sectional design that analyzed the positivity of RF and CRP in the investigation of RA in the elderly. The study was carried out in the clinical analysis laboratory of the Faculdade União de Goyazes in the first semester of 2018. Four (26%) had RF positivity, 7 (46.67%) had PCR positivity, 2 (13,33) showed change for the two immunological markers simultaneously. Nine (60%) elderly had altered markers and 6 (40%) presented clinical manifestations as answered in the questionnaires. We emphasize the absence of clinical manifestations described by the elderly who presented positivity in the FR. It is concluded that it is important that this population of elderly individuals who have demonstrated alterations in serum levels of RF and CRP perform complementary tests, investigating the disease, which is a means of verifying whether or not they are with RA, and if diagnosed, that they perform treatment, thus improving the quality of life.