The expression of rheumatoid arthritis in Malaysian and British patients: a comparative study

Seventy consecutive patients with definite or classical RA attending a University Hospital Rheumatology Clinic in Malaysia, were compared with an age, sex, disease duration matched group of RA patients seen in a British University Hospital. There were no differences in measures of disease activity, overall functional status or serological status in the two groups. However significant differences were seen in both the articular and extra-articular manifestations of the disease in the two countries. British patients had more severe disease in the feet, and a higher prevalence of nodules, vasculitis and pulmonary fibrosis. The Malaysian population had fewer erosions, more frequent involvement of the wrists and cervical spine, and a much higher incidence of secondary sicca syndrome. Radiographic changes were generally milder in Malaysian patients. Possible reasons for these differences in the expression of RA in the two countries are discussed.