Chikungunya Fever and Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Chikungunya fever (CHIKF) is a re-emerging infectious disease caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV), transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitoes. A significant number progress to chronic chikungunya arthritis, which shares similarities with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Despite evidence of a link betwe...

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Main Authors: José Kennedy Amaral, Robert Taylor Schoen, Michael E. Weinblatt, Estelita Lima Cândido
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2414-6366/10/2/54
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author José Kennedy Amaral
Robert Taylor Schoen
Michael E. Weinblatt
Estelita Lima Cândido
author_facet José Kennedy Amaral
Robert Taylor Schoen
Michael E. Weinblatt
Estelita Lima Cândido
author_sort José Kennedy Amaral
collection DOAJ
description Chikungunya fever (CHIKF) is a re-emerging infectious disease caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV), transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitoes. A significant number progress to chronic chikungunya arthritis, which shares similarities with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Despite evidence of a link between CHIKV infection and subsequent RA development, a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between these two diseases is lacking. This study systematically analyzes the incidence of RA after CHIKV infection and its immunological mechanisms, following PRISMA guidelines with literature searches across multiple databases up to 3 September 2024. Eligible studies included retrospective and prospective designs reporting RA diagnoses after CHIKV infection. Data extraction was performed independently, and the risk of bias was assessed using appropriate tools. Sixteen studies involving 2879 patients were included, with 449 individuals diagnosed with RA following CHIKV infection, resulting in a combined incidence of 13.7% (95% CI: 6.12% to 27.87%). High heterogeneity between studies was observed (<i>I</i><sup>2</sup> = 96%), indicating variability related to diagnostic criteria and population characteristics. This review highlights the significant RA incidence after CHIKV infection, emphasizing the need for research on autoimmune mechanisms, long-term rheumatological follow-up, early diagnostic biomarkers, and CHIKV’s long-term health impacts.
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spelling doaj-art-e5c642caa5df4747a45707e31fbba6fa2025-08-20T02:45:42ZengMDPI AGTropical Medicine and Infectious Disease2414-63662025-02-011025410.3390/tropicalmed10020054Chikungunya Fever and Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisJosé Kennedy Amaral0Robert Taylor Schoen1Michael E. Weinblatt2Estelita Lima Cândido3Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Cariri, 284 Divino Salvador Street, Barbalha 63090-000, Ceará, BrazilSection of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Yale University School of Medicine, 15 York Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USADivision of Rheumatology, Inflammation and Immunity, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 60 Fenwood Road, Boston, MA 02115, USAPostgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Cariri, 284 Divino Salvador Street, Barbalha 63090-000, Ceará, BrazilChikungunya fever (CHIKF) is a re-emerging infectious disease caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV), transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitoes. A significant number progress to chronic chikungunya arthritis, which shares similarities with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Despite evidence of a link between CHIKV infection and subsequent RA development, a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between these two diseases is lacking. This study systematically analyzes the incidence of RA after CHIKV infection and its immunological mechanisms, following PRISMA guidelines with literature searches across multiple databases up to 3 September 2024. Eligible studies included retrospective and prospective designs reporting RA diagnoses after CHIKV infection. Data extraction was performed independently, and the risk of bias was assessed using appropriate tools. Sixteen studies involving 2879 patients were included, with 449 individuals diagnosed with RA following CHIKV infection, resulting in a combined incidence of 13.7% (95% CI: 6.12% to 27.87%). High heterogeneity between studies was observed (<i>I</i><sup>2</sup> = 96%), indicating variability related to diagnostic criteria and population characteristics. This review highlights the significant RA incidence after CHIKV infection, emphasizing the need for research on autoimmune mechanisms, long-term rheumatological follow-up, early diagnostic biomarkers, and CHIKV’s long-term health impacts.https://www.mdpi.com/2414-6366/10/2/54chickungunya feverrheumatoid arthritisjoint diseaseautoimmune arthritis
spellingShingle José Kennedy Amaral
Robert Taylor Schoen
Michael E. Weinblatt
Estelita Lima Cândido
Chikungunya Fever and Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease
chickungunya fever
rheumatoid arthritis
joint disease
autoimmune arthritis
title Chikungunya Fever and Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
title_full Chikungunya Fever and Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
title_fullStr Chikungunya Fever and Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
title_full_unstemmed Chikungunya Fever and Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
title_short Chikungunya Fever and Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
title_sort chikungunya fever and rheumatoid arthritis a systematic review and meta analysis
topic chickungunya fever
rheumatoid arthritis
joint disease
autoimmune arthritis
url https://www.mdpi.com/2414-6366/10/2/54
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