Remission occurs still only in minority of rheumatoid arthritis while a tight control is achievable in a routine clinical practice – A cross section study

Abstract

The current recommended target is to achieve remission, if not at least low disease activity (LDA) in management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We analysed the incidence of patients achieving LDA or in remission in a real time clinical situation in a tertiary referral rheumatology centre, at a given point of time. Materials and methodsWe reviewed 480 patients who fulfilled classification criteria for RA and who were assessed for 28 Tender Joint Count (TJC), Swollen Joint Count (SJC), ESR and CRP. Their DAS28 (3) CRP and DAS28 (3) ESR score were calculated and were classified into LDA, remission, low, moderate and high disease activity based on the DAS28 (3) score. Results5.9% and 21.9% were in remission and 12% and 10% were in LDA based on DAS28 (3) ESR and DAS28 (3) CRP respectively. There was no significant influence of duration of illness, treatment and age in attaining both LDA and remission in our population. Conclusion5.9% and 21.9% of RA were in remission based on DAS28 (3) ESR and DAS28 (3) CRP respectively and 12% and 10% of RA patients were in LDA based on DAS28 (3) ESR and DAS28 (3) CRP respectively at the point of our study. DAS (3) CRP overestimate remission compared to DAS28 (3) ESR.