Chickengunya and rheumatoid arthritis share similar symptoms: study

Recent research has brought out the importance of correct diagnosis in chikungunya and rheumatoid arthritis, as in most cases, symptoms and test results show striking similarity, dailysciencejournal.com reported.

The study therefore suggests that close examination of the medical history of each and every patient is necessary for correct diagnosis.

Chikungunya, a viral disease caused by Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) manifested characteristics quite similar to those of other viruses such as dengue and West Nile. Rash and high fever, which even last for one year are the usual symptoms of the disease. The disease is quite common across certain regions of the world namely - Central America, South America, India, Caribbean and Africa.

In a recent study, researchers from Washington University School of Medicine carefully analysed the patients of rheumatoid arthritis and chikungunya and were surprised to discover that since the diseases shared similar symptoms, the chances of wrong diagnosis were high.

In fact, research data has shown that around 80 per cent of rheumatoid arthritis patients were prescribed drugs used  in the treatement of Chikyngunya.

Diagnosis therefore, could be helped by referring to the travel and medical history of patients.

Wayne Yokoyama, MD, the Sam and Audrey Loew Levin Professor of Medicine, and the lead author of the study, said, ''For now, good travel histories of patients are among the best diagnostic tools for physicians. Recent travel to the Caribbean, Central and South America, Africa, India or other areas where the virus is prevalent should raise suspicions of Chikungunya infection. In addition, the disease typically starts with high fever and abrupt onset of severe pain in the joints, which are not usually seen with rheumatoid arthritis.''