Abstract
Author(s): Suzan Hammed Uraibi, Ali Ameer Hamzah, Nadia Kamile Al-Mashta, Huda Shawky Mahmud, Saif M. Hassan*
Background: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an inflammation of the joints that is more common in women, particularly in those between 30 and 50 years old than in men. Aim: Role of Oral Contraceptive Pills (OCPs) on reduces the severity of RA. Method: 200 women suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. The study population was separated into two groups (case and control), with 100 women in each category. The case group was constituted of women who stated a willingness to utilize OCPs and did not have any contraindications to hormonal therapy. In contrast, the control group selected non-hormonal means of contraception. Consequently, the control group was forbidden from getting a placebo in place of OCPs, due to the potential danger of pregnancy. Women in both study groups had rheumatologist assessment for disease activity using the DAS-28 measure prior to the administration of any therapies. Results: The data showed there were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of baseline characteristics, including age, BMI, disease duration and treatment duration. No significant preintervention differences in DAS28 parameters and total scores (p>0.05) were observed between the groups. Subsequent to the intervention, the OCP group exhibited substantial enhancements in swollen joint scores, joint tenderness, general health (p ≤ 0.05), and DAS28 total score (p=0.05), yet no variations in ESR values were observed. The control group showed no discernible difference (3.58±1.07 vs. 3.79±1.22). The groups' pre-intervention DA severity was comparable. Following the intervention, 58% of women in the control group had moderately severe DA, compared to 52% of women in the OCPs group (p=0.04). Conclusion: Oral contraceptives do more than prohibit you from getting pregnant; they also diminish the activity of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), which was already known to be the case.