Rheumatoid Arthritis and Sickle Cell Disease: A Study of 18 Cases

Background

The coexistence of rheumatoid arthritis and sickle cell trait or disease has seldom been documented in reports from sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to characterise the epidemiological, diagnostic and prognostic features of this coexistence within a Senegalese rheumatology department. Patients and Methods: A retrospective case-control investigation was undertaken between March 2012 and June 2024 within the rheumatology department at Aristide Le Dantec University Hospital, Dakar (currently relocated to the COUD hospital). Patients with concurrent rheumatoid arthritis and sickle cell disease were compared with those who had rheumatoid arthritis alone.