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In patients with early rheumatoid arthritis, the new ACR/EULAR definition of remission identifies patients with persistent absence of functional disability and suppression of ultrasonographic synovitis
  1. Garifallia Sakellariou1,
  2. Carlo Alberto Scirè1,
  3. Suzanne M M Verstappen2,
  4. Carlomaurizio Montecucco1,
  5. Roberto Caporali1
  1. 1Division of Rheumatology, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
  2. 2Arthritis Research UK Epidemiology Unit, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
  1. Correspondence to Professor Carlomaurizio Montecucco, IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico San Matteo, Piazzale Golgi, Pavia 27100, Italy; montecucco{at}smatteo.pv

Abstract

Objectives To test the American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism (ACR/EULAR) and disease activity score in 44 and 28 joints (DAS, DAS28) definitions of remission in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA), against disability and ultrasound-detectable synovitis.

Methods In an observational study of early RA patients, remission rates were determined and compared in 166 patients. The remission definitions included the simplified disease activity index (SDAI≤3.3), ACR/EULAR (categorical), DAS28 (<2.6) and DAS (<1.6). The health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) was completed at baseline and 12 months, power Doppler-positive synovitis (PDPS) was assessed at baseline, 6 and 12 months. Cross-sectionally, the outcomes were low functional disability (HAQ≤0.5) or absent PDPS in all joints, while longitudinally the outcomes were stable low functional disability and persistent absent PDPS in all joints.

Results At baseline, 33.7% of patients achieved DAS28 remission, 43.37% DAS remission, 16.8% SDAI remission, 13.8% ACR/EULAR remission. DAS28, SDAI and ACR/EULAR remission was cross-sectionally associated with low functional disability and absent PDPS. All definitions were longitudinally associated with low functional disability: positive likelihood ratios (LR+) of 3.24 for DAS28, 2.14 for DAS, 4.86 for SDAI, 5.67 for ACR/EULAR criteria, and with absent PDPS for DAS28 (LR+ 1.66), SDAI (LR+ 6.46), ACR/EULAR (LR+ 5.07).

Conclusions The new remission definitions confirmed their validity in an observational setting and identify patients with better disease control.

  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • DAS28
  • Ultrasonography

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