The Relation between Chronic Aseptic Arthritis and Previous Chlamydia Infection among Middle Aged Iraqi Patients

Abstract

Aims: This study was conducted to detect and evaluate the relation between chronic aseptic arthritis and previous Chlamydia trachomatis infection among middle aged Iraqi patients. Study Design: Cross sectional study Place and Duration of Study: private clinic in Al-Door city/ Salahaddin Province / Iraq, between October 2012 and May 2013. Methodology: This study included 33 known patients with chronic arthritis, with negative rheumatoid factor (RF) in their sera, aging from 26 to 61 years. Septic arthritis was excluded by history, clinical examination, and blood investigations. The ESR for these patients was estimated. Other 33 subjects were taken as a control group. Chlamydia trachomatis IgM and IgG were estimated by ELISA test (sandwich method) for both groups' sera, and results were statistically analyzed. Results: The female: male ratio in current study is (5.6: 1), with mean age of (46) years old. More than half of cases (52%) were having ESR value of 40-60. A highly significant statistical difference (P<0.001) was noticed between study groups in regard to C. trachomatis IgG mean levels in their sera calculated by unpaired T- test. Conclusion: There is a significant relation between chronic arthritis and previous Chlamydia infection in current study (demonstrated by high titer of anti- Chlamydia trachomatis IgG).