Clinical and ultrasound remission after 6 months of treat-to-target therapy in early rheumatoid arthritis: associations to future good radiographic and physical outcomes. Issue 10 (22nd June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Paulshus Sundlisæter, Nina; Aga, Anna-Birgitte; Olsen, Inge Christoffer; Hammer, Hilde Berner; Uhlig, Till; van der Heijde, Désirée; Kvien, Tore K; Lillegraven, Siri; Haavardsholm, Espen A
• Other Names: author non-byline.; Fremstad Hallvard author non-byline.; Madland Tor Magne author non-byline.; Lexberg Åse Stavland author non-byline.; Haukeland Hilde author non-byline.; Rødevand Erik author non-byline.; Høili Christian author non-byline.; Stray Hilde author non-byline.; Bendvold Anne Noraas author non-byline.; Soldal Dag Magnar author non-byline.; Bakland Gunnstein author non-byline.
• Is Part Of: Annals of the rheumatic diseases. Volume 77:Issue 10(2018)
• Page Start: 1421
• Page End: 1425
• Publication Date: 2018-06-22
• Subjects: early rheumatoid arthritis -- disease activity -- outcome research -- ultrasonography; Rheumatism -- Periodicals; 616.723005
• DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2017-212830
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-4967

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: To explore associations between remission, based on clinical and ultrasound definitions, and future good radiographic and physical outcome in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: Newly diagnosed patients with RA followed a treat-to-target strategy incorporating ultrasound information in the Aiming for Remission in rheumatoid arthritis: a randomised trial examining the benefit of ultrasound in a Clinical TIght Control regimen (ARCTIC) trial. We defined 6-month remission according to Disease Activity Score, Disease Activity Score in 28 joints-erythrocyte sedimentation rate, American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism (ACR/EULAR) Boolean criteria, Simplified Disease Activity Index, Clinical Disease Activity Index and two ultrasound definitions (no power Doppler signal, grey scale score ≤2). Two outcomes were defined: no radiographic progression and good outcome (no radiographic progression+physical function≥general population median), both sustained 12–24 months. We calculated the ORs of these outcomes for the remission definitions. Results: Of 103 patients, 42%–82% reached remission at 6 months, dependent on definition. Seventy-one per cent of patients had no radiographic progression and 37% had good outcome. An association between 6-month remission and no radiographic progression was observed for ACR/EULAR Boolean remission (44 joints, OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.2 to 8.4), ultrasound power Doppler (OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.3 to 10.0) and grey scale remission (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.2 to 8.0). All clinical, but not ultrasound remission criteria were associated with achievement of a good outcome. Conclusions: Our data support ACR/EULAR Boolean remission based on 44 joints as the preferred treatment target in early RA. Absence of ultrasound inflammation was associated with no radiographic progression. Trial registration number: NCT01205854 ; Post-results.