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Rates of remission have risen in patients with RA in Australia
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The rate of remission achieved among patients in Australia with rheumatoid arthritis has risen between 2009 and 2014, according to recently published data.
Researchers designed the Optimising Patient Outcome in Australian Rheumatology-Quality Use of Medicines Initiative (OPAL-QUMI) network database in 2009 with consecutive, patient-specific medical records contributed by 64 rheumatologists across Australia.
A cross-sectional non-interventional study was conducted on 5-year follow-up data on 8,998 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) between 2009 and 2014. Analysis of disease activity was based on disease duration, change in clinical characteristics during the 5 years, treatment details and the history of joint involvement.
During the course of 5 years, mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) decreased from 20.74 mm/h in 2009 to 16.28 mm/h in 2014, and mean C-reactive protein (CRP) decreased from 9.55 mg/L in 2014 to 11.58 mg/L in 2014. Swollen joint counts (SJCs) decreased from 3.32 in 2009 to 2.11 in 2014, and tender joint counts (TJCs) decreased from 2.82 in 2009 to 1.94 in 2014.
Remission based on the Disease Activity Score in 28 Joints (DAS28-ESR) was 36.7 in 2009 and 53.5% in 2014, and the frequency of moderate and high disease activity decreased from 33% and 11.1% in 2009 to 22.2% and 6.8%, respectively.
Most change in disease status occurred within 3 years from diagnosis, the researchers reported. The rate of remission based on DAS28-ESR at diagnosis was 21% and increased to 50% at more than 6 months and to 40% to 46% after 3 years. High disease activity at diagnosis decreased from 34.4% to 10.6% at 3 years and stabilized to between 6% and 10% after 4 years, according to the researchers.
The number of patients treated with biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs increased from 17% in 2009 to 36.9% in 2014, and the percentage of patients who received prednisolone in remission increased from 27.6% in 2009 to 36.8% in 2014. – by Shirley Pulawski
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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