Delhi's climate change, air pollution and socio-economic factors are posing a high risk in the spreading arthritis among people. According to a study conducted by Department of Rheumatology of AIIMS, out of 500 males and females residing in Delhi for more than 10 years, 432 females and 65 males are suffering from Rheumatiod Arthritis (RA) respectively.
Medical experts said the rheumatological disorders are the most disabling and deforming diseases and Indians are less aware of this disease.
Moreover, studies have revealed that delay in the treatment can lead to the joint deformity and irreversible organ damage.
Rheumatology doctors at AIIMS said, due to RA, a state of ongoing inflammation in the body leads to premature atherosclerosis, hypertension, coronary artery disease, cerebrovasular accidents and reduces the life span of a patient by 10 years against the expected life expectancy.
Professor and HOD of Rheumatology at AIIMS Dr. Uma Kumar said, "We collected the data of air quality from IMD in New Delhi for past few years and co- related with the patients who got the treatment here. It found that when the particulate matter in air was high, then more disease activity was found in the patients."
Thus, air pollution is not only responsible for respiratory diseases, but it also contributes to the auto-immune diseases, she added.
"Also, the presence of auto-antibody has been found in the blood of normal healthy individuals living in Delhi for more than 10 years which shows the evidence of autoimmunity," said Dr. Uma. From January 2015 to September, AIIMS has witnessed over 24,000 cases of the disorder with waiting period of 8-12 weeks for the new patients.
Swollen, tender joints and increased duration of early morning stiffness are some of the symptoms of the disease. Initially, people ignore these symptoms and some do self medication which should be done, said the doctor.