Reduced incidence of extra‐articular manifestations of RA through effective disease control: Karnataka Rheumatoid Arthritis Comorbidity (KRAC) study. (10th December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chandrashekara, S.; Shobha, Vineeta; Dharmanand, B. G.; Jois, Ramesh; Kumar, Sharath; Mahendranath, Kurugodu Mathada; Haridas, Vikram; Prasad, Shiva; Singh, Yogesh; Daware, Manisha Ashwin; Swamy, Anupama; Subramanian, R.; Somashekar, Srirama Attappa; Shanthappa, Arun Madhanaghatta; Anupama, K. R.
• Is Part Of: International journal of rheumatic diseases. Volume 20:Number 11(2017)
• Page Start: 1694
• Page End: 1703
• Publication Date: 2016-12-10
• Subjects: extra‐articular manifestations -- rheumatoid arthritis; Rheumatology -- Periodicals; Rheumatology -- Asia -- Periodicals; Rheumatology -- Pacific Area -- Periodicals; Rheumatic Diseases -- Periodicals; Connective Tissue Diseases -- Periodicals; Immune System Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.723
• DOI: 10.1111/1756-185X.12957
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1756-1841

Abstract

Abstract: Aim: To estimate the prevalence of extra‐articular manifestations (EAM) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and the impact of demographic, clinical and treatment factors. Method: The study was carried out as a part of 'Karnataka Rheumatoid arthritis comorbidity (KRAC) study' conducted at 14 centers across Karnataka, India between September 2014 and July 2015. The data were collected by trained clinical research associates using a structured pro forma, under the supervision of the consulting rheumatologists. Based on the factors evaluated, the study participants were classified as follows: age, < 30 years, 30–39 years, 40–49 years, 50–59 years and ≥ 60 years; and duration of illness prior to visiting rheumatologist (DOIP), ≤ 6 months, > 6 months‐2 years, 2–10 years and > 10 years. The Disease Activity Score of 28 joints‐3 (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) score was calculated for each patient by three variable methods. Results: The total number of patients considered for the study after exclusion was 1716. The subjects had a mean (SD) age of 48.1 (12.71) years, the male‐to‐female ratio was 1 : 5, and median (range) of duration of RA was 48 (0.5–484) months. The prevalence of EAM noted was around 13%. EAM were more likely during the first 2 years of the disease (odds ratio [OR]: 1.465; P = 0.047) and increased with longer DOIP. The incidence was less in patients with low disease activity (OR: 0.657) and worse with the presence of deformities (OR: 2.1). Conclusion: The study corroborates the current concept of effective disease control to reduce the incidence/likelihood of EAM in RA patients.