Int. J. Adv. Res. Biol. Sci. (2016). 3(4): 91-98 91 International Journal of Advanced Research in Biological Sciences ISSN: 2348-8069 www.ijarbs.com Volume 3, Issue 4 - 2016 Research Article Haematological variables in rheumatoid arthritis patients in Imo state Nigeria Okoroiwu, I.L 1 , Obeagu, E.I. 2 , Obeagu, G.U. 3 1. Department of Medical laboratory Science, Imo State University, Owerri,Nigeria. 2. Diagnostic Laboratory Unit, Health Services Department, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria. 3. Department of Nursing Science, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria. *Corresponding author: emmanuelobeagu@yahoo.com,obeagu.emmanuel@mouau.edu.ng,obeaguemmanuel@gmail.com Abstract The effects of rheumatoid arthritis on some haematological variables were determined. A total of one hundred and fifty six (156) subjects were recruited for the study. Seventy (70) Subjects were females suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and seventy (70) subjects were apparently healthy females. Eight (8) subjects were males suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and eight (8) subject were apparently healthy males Full blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate platelet count of sufferers, and non-sufferers who served as control were determined using standard haematologic methods. t-test analysis revealed significant statistical differences in all variables (P<0.05), except lymphocytes and monocytes in male arthritics. Anaemia, leukaemia and thrombocytopenia were seen in some percentage of patients, Haematologic surveillance in rheumatoid arthritis disease, and instituting rheumatoid arthritis disease management programme will assist in reducing complications that may be brought about by haematologic changes and ignorance. Keywords: Rheumatoid arthristis, Haematological Variations, Full Blood Count, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate. Introduction Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by severe-pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of function of the joint (Bengteson et al., 2005). It is classified as autoimmune disease characterized by deregulation of the rnmune system, resulting in Chronic activation of T – cell responses and over production of proinflammatory cytokines including tumour necrosis factor and interleukin 1 (Reischmann et al., 2005). It is classified as autoimmune disease characterized by deregulation of the immune system, resulting in Chronic activation of T-cell responses and over production of proinflammatory cytokines including Tumour necrosis factor and interleukin 1 (Fleischmann et al., 2005).The resultant effect of the above response is joint destruction. The precise cause of RA is not known (Edward et al., 2006) disease models suggest that both genetic, environment and hormone are contributing factors. Firestein, in his publication classified the aetiology of RA as genetic, environment, hormone and socio - economic status.It has been reported that genetic make up of an individual plays an important role SOI: http://s-o-i.org/1.15/ijarbs-2016-3-4-14