Evaluation of Haematological Indices in Rheumatoid Arthritis Subjects in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disorder that may cause measurable haematological changes. Evidence describing these alterations among Nigerian subjects remains limited. Aim: This study evaluated haematological indices in rheumatoid arthritis subjects in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional study included 78 participants aged 35–75 years, comprising 31 rheumatoid arthritis subjects and 47 apparently healthy controls. Full blood count parameters were measured using a Mindray BC-5800 five-part automated analyser. Data were analysed using GraphPad Prism version 10.6.1, with statistical significance set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: Rheumatoid arthritis subjects had significantly higher neutrophil counts, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio than controls. Conversely, lymphocyte counts, red blood cell counts, and packed cell volume were significantly lower. Female rheumatoid arthritis subjects showed significantly increased neutrophil count, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, together with reduced lymphocyte count. Among male rheumatoid arthritis subjects, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular haemoglobin were significantly higher, whereas the remaining measured indices did not differ significantly from those of male controls. Conclusion: Rheumatoid arthritis was associated with selected inflammatory and erythrocyte-related haematological alterations, with more pronounced inflammatory differences among female subjects. Routine full blood count-derived indices may provide accessible supplementary information during clinical assessment, although their interpretation should remain integrated with disease activity, treatment history, and other clinical findings.