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Published on: July 14, 2023
Gender differences in Latin-American patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Carolina Barragán-Martínez1, Jenny Amaya-Amaya, Ricardo Pineda-Tamayo
1Center for Autoimmune Diseases Research (CREA), School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia.
Gender Medicine
|December 11, 2012
Summary
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is more common in women in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). RA in LAC women presents differently, potentially explaining worse outcomes and higher disability rates in this demographic.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Epidemiology
- Gender Studies
Background:
- Limited data exists on gender differences in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) among non-Caucasian populations.
- The Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region represents a large, admixed population with unique characteristics relevant to RA research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of gender on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) presentation and outcomes in the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) population.
Main Methods:
- A two-phase study involving a cross-sectional analysis of 1128 Colombian RA patients.
- A systematic literature review was conducted to synthesize existing data on gender and RA in the LAC region.
Main Results:
- RA prevalence is significantly higher in LAC women (5.2:1 ratio).
- Colombian women with RA exhibit earlier onset, polyautoimmunity, abdominal obesity, and increased household duties compared to men.
- Male gender is linked to a higher incidence of extra-articular manifestations.
Conclusions:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in LAC women is more prevalent and presents with distinct clinical features compared to men.
- These gender-specific differences may contribute to the observed higher rates of disability and poorer prognosis in LAC women with RA.
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