'Rheumatoid arthritis aggravates during high air pollution'

New Delhi: Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis aggravate in a patient when presence of air pollutants increases in the atmosphere, found a study by AIIMS.

The study was conducted on 500 patients who have been residing in Delhi for more than 10 years.

It found that symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis aggravated during the months of November and December when suspended particulate matter (SPM) 2.5 increases in the atmosphere.

"We collected the data of air quality from IMD in New Delhi for the past few years and then tracked the patients undergoing treatment for rheumatoid arthritis here at AIIMS and found that when the Particulate Matter in air was high, then more disease activity was found in the patients.

"Symptoms in the patients worsened in November and December when suspended particulate matter (SPM) 2.5 increases in the atmosphere. Patients showed worsening of symptoms like joint pain and swelling when the air pollutants increased," said a senior doctor at AIIMS ahead of the World Arthritis Day on October 12.

The study, funded by the Department of Science and Technology as part of a project on climate change, was jointly conducted by the Rheumatology Department at AIIMS and the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) between 2008 and 2013.

Medical experts say that the rheumatological disorders are the most disabling and deforming diseases, and in India people are less aware of the disease. Delay in the treatment can lead to the joint deformity and irreversible organ damage.

Swollen, tender joints and increased duration of early morning stiffness is some of the symptoms of the disease.