Role of Some Heavy Metals in Rheumatoid Arthritis

This chapter aims to investigate the association of some heavy metals with rheumatoid arthritis. The metal concentration was observed in serum of RA patients, both in sex and two age groups of below 35 years and 35 years and above. The metals studied were zinc, cobalt, lead, nickel and copper. The findings revealed that concentration of Cu was significantly lower in the serum of RA +ve patients compared to RA -ve individuals but no significant relationship with sex and age groups was found. There was no significant relationship found between concentration of Zn, Co, Pb, and Ni with RA +ve patients. Similarly, there was no significant relationship between these metal concentrations and the gender or age of RA +ve patients.