Evaluation of Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate and C-Reactive Protein in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, South South Nigeria

This study evaluates erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) as inflammatory markers in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) attending the rheumatology clinic at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Akwa Ibom State, located in Nigeria's South South geopolitical zone. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic systemic inflammatory disorder with significant haematological manifestations, and laboratory markers of inflammation are central to its assessment. A cross-sectional study recruited 100 clinically confirmed RA patients and 50 age- and sex-matched controls. ESR was measured by the Westergren method, and CRP by latex agglutination. Disease activity was assessed using the Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28). Haematological parameters including haemoglobin and platelet count were also evaluated. Findings showed significantly elevated ESR (mean 78 mm/hr) and CRP in RA patients compared to controls. Both markers correlated positively with DAS28 scores, confirming their utility in disease activity assessment. Anaemia of chronic disease was present in 55 percent of RA patients, characterised by normocytic normochromic red cell morphology and low serum iron with normal or elevated ferritin. Patients on disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs showed lower ESR and CRP values than those on analgesic-only management. The findings support integrating ESR and CRP into routine RA management protocols in the South South zone, and regular haematological assessment is recommended to monitor anaemia burden. Keywords: rheumatoid arthritis, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, anaemia, Uyo.