LONDON: A new study has exposed the importance of accurate diagnosis in case of people affected with Chikungunya virus and rheumatoid arthritis, as in both the cases similar symptoms and tests results are obtained. Thus, identifying the travel and medical histories of the patients is important for making proper diagnosis.
Chikungunya, diagnosed commonly in India, Caribbean, Central and South America and Africa, is caused by a mosquito bite. Common symptoms of this disease include fever and rash which continue for days. It is also accompanied by severe joint pain which lasts for some months and sometimes for more than a year. However, the researchers from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have analyzed that patients affected with rheumatoid arthritis also have same symptoms. Similar symptoms and test results often results in wrong diagnosis and mistreatment.
According to the recommendations of the researchers the travel and medical history of each patient must be considered for avoiding wrong diagnosis. Sometimes, patients affected with Chikungunya are treated with drugs used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, which makes the condition worse.
Wayne Yokoyama, MD, from the Sam and Audrey Loew Levin Professor of Medicine, and the lead author of the study, stated “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.”
