scholarly journals A quarter of patients time their early rheumatoid arthritis onset differently than physicians

RMD Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. e000931 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leah Ellingwood ◽  
Fatima Kudaeva ◽  
Orit Schieir ◽  
Susan J Bartlett ◽  
Louis Bessette ◽  
...  

ObjectiveEarly rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment requires timely recognition. This large, multicentre study compared patient-reported vs physician-reported onset of early RA.MethodsPatients from the Canadian Early ArThritis CoHort with early/suspected RA (persistent synovitis <1 year) completed questionnaires asking about the date of symptom onset; and rheumatologists date of onset for persistent synovitis. Groups with similar reported timing (patient and physician) versus differing timing of 30 days or more were compared.ResultsIn 2683 patients, the median patient symptom duration (IQR) was 178 days (163) and physician-reported duration was 166 (138). 1940 (72%) patients had similar patient-reported and physician-reported onset (<30 days), whereas 497 (18%) reported onset 30 or more days preceding physicians, and 246 (9%) 30 or more days after physicians. Patients reporting onset preceding physicians had lower baseline Disease Activity Score based on 28 joint count, swollen joint counts and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p<0.05). Patients reporting onset after physicians were more likely to be rheumatoid factor positive (p<0.001) and had higher anticitrullinated protein antibody titres (p<0.009). Regression showed low income, smoking, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis and baseline non-methotrexate non-biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drug use were predictors for longer patient-reported symptoms. At 12 months, patients reporting longer symptom duration than physicians had lower rates of Simplified Disease Activity Index remission and higher physician global assessments.ConclusionOver one-fourth of patients reported differences of >1 month in symptom onset from their rheumatologist. Patients with longer symptom durations had less improvement at 1 year, which may be reflective of comorbid musculoskeletal conditions.

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (9) ◽  
pp. 1331-1340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Twigg ◽  
Elizabeth M.A. Hensor ◽  
Paul Emery ◽  
Alan Tennant ◽  
Ann W. Morgan ◽  
...  

Objective.To assess patient-reported variables as predictors of change in disease activity and disability in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods.Cases were recruited to the Yorkshire Early Arthritis Register (YEAR) between 1997 and 2009 (n = 1415). Predictors of the 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28) and the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI) at baseline and change over 12 months were identified using multilevel models. Baseline predictors were sex, age, symptom duration, autoantibody status, pain and fatigue visual analog scales (VAS), duration of early morning stiffness (EMS), DAS28, and HAQ-DI.Results.Rates of change were slower in women than men: DAS28 fell by 0.19 and 0.17 units/month, and HAQ-DI by 0.028 and 0.023 units/month in men and women, respectively. Baseline pain and EMS had small effects on rates of change, whereas fatigue VAS was only associated with DAS28 and HAQ-DI at baseline. In patients recruited up to 2002, DAS28 reduced more quickly in those with greater pain at baseline (by 0.01 units/mo of DAS28 per cm pain VAS, p = 0.024); in patients recruited after 2002, the effect for pain was stronger (by 0.01 units/mo, p = 0.087). DAS28 reduction was greater with longer EMS. In both cohorts, fall in HAQ-DI (p = 0.006) was greater in patients with longer EMS duration, but pain and fatigue were not significant predictors of change in HAQ-DI.Conclusion.Patient-reported fatigue, pain, and stiffness at baseline are of limited value for the prediction of RA change in disease activity (DAS28) and activity limitation (HAQ-DI).


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan J. Bartlett ◽  
Vivian P. Bykerk ◽  
Orit Schieir ◽  
Marie-France Valois ◽  
Janet E Pope ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose The Rheumatoid Arthritis Flare Questionnaire (RA-FQ) is a patient-reported measure of disease activity in RA. We estimated minimal and meaningful change from the perspective of RA patients, physicians, and using a disease activity index. Methods Data were from 3- and 6-month visits of adults with early RA enrolled in the Canadian Early Arthritis Cohort. Participants completed the RA-FQ, the Patient Global Assessment of RA, and Patient Global Change Impression at consecutive visits. Rheumatologists recorded joint counts and MD Global. Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) scores were computed. We compared mean RA-FQ change across categories using patients, physicians, and CDAI anchors. Results The 808 adults were mostly white (84%) women (71%) with a mean age of 55 and moderate-high disease activity (85%) at enrollment. At V2, 79% of patients classified their RA as changed; 59% were better and 20% were worse. Patients reporting they were a lot worse had a mean RA-FQ increase of 8.9 points whereas those who were a lot better had a -6.0 decrease. Minimal worsening and improvement were associated with a mean 4.7 and -1.8 change in RA-FQ, respectively, while patients rating their RA unchanged had stable scores. Physician and CDAI classified more patients as worse than patients, and minimal and meaningful RA-FQ thresholds differed by group. Conclusion Thresholds to identify meaningful change vary by anchor used. These data offer new evidence demonstrating robust psychometric properties of the RA-FQ and offer guidance about improvement or worsening, supporting its use in RA care, research and decision-making.


RMD Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. e001566
Author(s):  
Yomei Shaw ◽  
Delphine S Courvoisier ◽  
Almut Scherer ◽  
Adrian Ciurea ◽  
Thomas Lehmann ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of apps measuring patient-reported outcomes (PROs) on patient–provider interaction in the rheumatic diseases in an observational setting.MethodsPatients in the Swiss Clinical Quality Management in Rheumatic Diseases Registry were offered mobile apps (iDialog and COmPASS) to track disease status between rheumatology visits using validated PROs (Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Activity Index-5 score, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index score, Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data-3 score and Visual Analogue Scale score for pain, disease activity and skin symptoms). We assessed two aspects of patient–provider interaction: shared decision making (SDM) and physician awareness of disease fluctuations. We used logistic regressions to compare outcomes among patients who (1) used an app and discussed app data with their physician (app+discussion group), (2) used an app without discussing the data (app-only group) or (3) did not use any app (non-app users).Results2111 patients were analysed, including 1799 non-app users, 150 app-only users and 162 app+discussion users (43% male; with 902 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, 766 patients with axial spondyloarthritis and 443 patients with psoriatic arthritis). App users were younger than non-app users (mean age of 47 vs 51 years, p<0.001). Compared with non-app users, the app+discussion group rated their rheumatologist more highly in SDM (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.4) and physician awareness of disease fluctuations (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.3 to 3.1). This improvement was absent in the app-only group.ConclusionApp users who discussed app data with their rheumatologist reported more favourably on patient–provider interactions than app users who did not and non-app users. Apps measuring PROs may contribute little to patient–provider interactions without integration of app data into care processes.


2015 ◽  
Vol 42 (12) ◽  
pp. 2279-2287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Glenn Haugeberg ◽  
Pernille Bøyesen ◽  
Knut Helgetveit ◽  
Anne Prøven

Objective.To study short-term and longterm clinical and radiographic outcomes in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the first decade of the biologic treatment era.Methods.Patients with early RA diagnosed at a rheumatology outpatient clinic were consecutively enrolled between 1999 and 2001. Data were collected on demographic characteristics, disease activity, patient-reported outcomes, and treatments. Radiographs of hands and feet were performed at baseline and after 2, 5, and 10 years and scored according to the Sharp/van der Heijde method, yielding a modified total Sharp score (mTSS).Results.Mean baseline age for the 94 included patients (36 men and 58 women) was 50.4 years and symptom duration 12.3 months; 67.8% were rheumatoid factor–positive. The proportion of patients in remission and in low, moderate, and high disease activity status was at baseline 4.3%, 1.1%, 35.1%, and 59.6% and at 10 years 52.1%, 20.5%, 27.4%, and 0.0%, respectively. For the period 0–2 years, 62.8% had used prednisolone, 91.5% synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD), and 18.1% biologic DMARD, and for the period 2–10 years the numbers were 50.6%, 89.3%, and 62.7%, respectively. At baseline, 70% of the patients had erosions on radiographs. Mean annual change in mTSS was for 0–2 years 3.4, 2–5 years 1.7, and 5–10 years 1.2.Conclusion.A large proportion of our patients with RA diagnosed and treated in the new biologic treatment era achieved a status of clinical remission or low disease activity and had only a minor increase in radiographic joint damage after the first years of followup.


RMD Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. e001017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerd R Burmester ◽  
Vibeke Strand ◽  
Andrea Rubbert-Roth ◽  
Howard Amital ◽  
Tatiana Raskina ◽  
...  

ObjectiveEvaluate open-label sarilumab monotherapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis switching from adalimumab monotherapy in MONARCH (NCT02332590); assess long-term safety and efficacy in patients continuing sarilumab during open-label extension (OLE).MethodsDuring the 48-week OLE, patients received sarilumab 200 mg subcutaneously once every 2 weeks. Safety (March 2017 cut-off) and efficacy, including patient-reported outcomes, were evaluated.ResultsIn the double-blind phase, patients receiving sarilumab or adalimumab monotherapy showed meaningful improvements in disease activity; sarilumab was superior to adalimumab for improving signs, symptoms and physical function. Overall, 320/369 patients completing the 24-week double-blind phase entered OLE (155 switched from adalimumab; 165 continued sarilumab). Sarilumab safety profile was consistent with previous reports. Treatment-emergent adverse events were similar between groups; no unexpected safety signals emerged in the first 10 weeks postswitch. Among switch patients, improvement in disease activity was evident at OLE week 12: 47.1%/34.8% had changes ≥1.2 in Disease Activity Score (28 joints) (DAS28)-erythrocyte sedimentation rate/DAS28-C-reactive protein. In switch patients achieving low disease activity (LDA: Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) ≤10; Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI) ≤11) by OLE week 24, 70.7%/69.5% sustained CDAI/SDAI LDA at both OLE weeks 36 and 48. Proportions of switch patients achieving CDAI ≤2.8 and SDAI ≤3.3 by OLE week 24 increased through OLE week 48. Improvements postswitch approached continuation-group values, including scores ≥normative values.ConclusionsDuring this OLE, there were no unexpected safety issues in patients switching from adalimumab to sarilumab monotherapy, and disease activity improved in many patients. Patients continuing sarilumab reported safety consistent with prolonged use and had sustained benefit.


2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (8) ◽  
pp. 1101-1108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bindee Kuriya ◽  
Raman Joshi ◽  
Mohammad Movahedi ◽  
Emmanouil Rampakakis ◽  
John S. Sampalis ◽  
...  

Objective.We sought to determine if initial high disease activity or changes in disease activity contribute to persistent depression in early rheumatoid arthritis (ERA). We also determined if disease activity and depression is modified by sex.Methods.Depression was ascertained by self-report among patients enrolled in the Ontario Best Practices Research Initiative. The association between baseline disease activity, measured by the Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI), and persistent depression was evaluated with multivariate regression models, and effect modification by sex was tested. A general estimating equation assessed the association between change in CDAI over time and risk of depression.Results.The sample of 469 ERA subjects was predominantly female (73%). At baseline, the prevalence of depression was 26%, and 23% reported persistent depression. After adjusting for potential confounders, higher baseline CDAI was associated with both baseline and persistent depression (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01–1.05). Female sex was an effect modifier of this relationship (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01–1.06). Maintaining a moderate or high CDAI score over 2 years also increased the risk of future depression.Conclusion.Depression in ERA is common and initial high disease activity is associated with the probability of depression and its persistence. This risk seems particularly modified in women with active disease and represents an area for targeted focus and screening. Future studies in ERA are needed to determine if intervening during the “window of opportunity” to control disease activity has the potential to mitigate the development and maintenance of adverse mental health outcomes, including depression.


2020 ◽  
pp. annrheumdis-2020-218705 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrian Ciurea ◽  
Eleftherios Papagiannoulis ◽  
Kristina Bürki ◽  
Isabell von Loga ◽  
Raphael Micheroli ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo investigate whether the transient reduction in rheumatology services imposed by virus containment measures during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with disease worsening in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or psoriatic arthritis (PsA).MethodsPatient-reported disease activity assessed during face-to-face visits and/or via a smartphone application were compared between three periods of each 2 months duration (before, during and after the COVID-19-wave) from January to June 2020 in 666 patients with axSpA, RA and PsA in the Swiss Clinical Quality Management cohort.ResultsThe number of consultations dropped by 52%, whereas the number of remote assessments increased by 129%. The proportion of patients with drug non-compliance slightly increased during the pandemic, the difference reaching statistical significance in axSpA (19.9% vs 13.2% before the pandemic, p=0.003). The proportion of patients with disease flares remained stable (<15%). There was no increase in mean values of the Bath Ankylosing Disease Activity Index, the Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Activity Index-5 and the Patient Global Assessment in patients with axSpA, RA and PsA, respectively.ConclusionA short interruption of in-person patient–rheumatologist interactions had no major detrimental impact on the disease course of axSpA, RA and PsA as assessed by patient-reported outcomes.


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