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Men with RA reported better outcomes compared with women
Men with rheumatoid arthritis reported better outcomes, particularly for pain and physical function, compared with women during a 12-year period in which treatment became more extensive, according to recent study results.
Researchers analyzed patient reported outcomes (PROs) from questionnaires sent to registry patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Malmö, Sweden. Questionnaires were distributed in 1997 (n=1,016 patients), 2002 (n=916), 2005 (n=1,625) and 2009 (n=1,700), with overall response rates of 74%, 66%, 64% and 62%, respectively. Median ages ranged from 61.9 years to 63.9 years and prevalence of female patients ranged from 71% to 74%.
Data included measures of disability and health-related quality of life, along with medication. Databases from two regional immunology laboratories were used to gather data on rheumatoid factor (RF) tests, and the study was limited to RF-positive patients.
There was a substantial decrease in global assessment of disease activity and pain during the survey period. Methotrexate treatment was more prevalent in 2005 and 2009, compared with 1997. Biologics use was reported beginning in 2002, and 29% of patients used them in 2009.
Mean visual analog scales (0-100) for patients’ global assessment of disease activity (45 [95% CI, 45-47] vs. 38 [95% CI, 35-40]) and pain (46 [95% CI, 44-49] vs. 38 (95% CI, 36-40]) improved from 1997 to 2009, with greater gains made by men.
There also were improvements in mean Short Form-36 physical component scores, with men having higher scores throughout the questionnaires.
“In a well-defined population of patients with RA that received more aggressive treatment over time, we have demonstrated improvement in patient reported outcomes,” the researchers concluded. “Despite similar treatment, male patients reported better outcomes and greater improvements … . We suggest that [PROs] should be reported separately in male and female patients with RA.”
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.