About this trial
The primary goal of this cross-sectional study is to assess risk factors/predictors for dysphagia severity in RA.
The secondary goals include demonstrating whether flexible fiberoptic pharyngolaryngoscopy can diagnose joint-affection-induced dysphagia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and whether both oropharyngeal and esophageal dysphagia are present among these patients.
The main questions it aims to answer are
* What are the predictors that are associated with dysphagia severity via flexible fiberoptic pharyngolaryngoscopy in rheumatoid arthritis patients? * Whether flexible fiberoptic pharyngolaryngoscopy can diagnose joint-affection-induced dysphagia in patients with RA? * Whether both oropharyngeal and esophageal dysphagia are present in patients with RA?
Eligibility criteria
Qualifiers
Patients with Rheumatoid arthritis defined by the American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism collaborative initiative (ACR/EULAR) 2010 classification criteria.
Patients aged above 18 years old, well-orientated, and cooperative.
Disqualifiers
concomitant cancer diagnosis, pregnancy.
jaw-related traumas, teeth and gum diseases.
other rheumatologic conditions
other comorbidities.
Trial design
Treatments tested in this trial
- flexible fiberoptic pharyngolaryngoscopy