Bogdan Batko1, Karol Urbański2, Jerzy Świerkot3, Piotr Wiland3, Filip Raciborski4, Mariusz Jędrzejewski5, Mateusz Koziej6, Marta Cześnikiewicz-Guzik2,7, Tomasz J Guzik2,8, Marcin Stajszczyk9. 1. Department of Rheumatology, J. Dietl Specialist Hospital, 1 Skarbowa St, 31-121, Krakow, Poland. bpbatko@gmail.com. 2. Department of Internal and Agricultural Medicine, Jagiellonian University School of Medicine, Krakow, Poland. 3. Department of Rheumatology and Internal Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland. 4. Department of Prevention of Environmental Hazards and Allergology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland. 5. GfK Polonia, Warsaw, Poland. 6. Department of Anatomy, Jagiellonian University School of Medicine, Krakow, Poland. 7. Institute of Infection Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK. 8. BHF Centre of Research Excellence, Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK. 9. Rheumatology and Autoimmune Diseases Department, Silesian Rheumatology Center, Ustron, Poland.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a significant clinical problem despite no clear definition. We aimed to provide clinical characteristics and associated comorbidities of RA patients in relation to disease control. METHODS: RA characteristics and physician-recorded comorbidities were analyzed in a sample of 1937 RA patients. Patients treated for RA for 5.2 y (IQR, 2.1-11.3) were classified as difficult-to-control when presenting with DAS28-ESR > 3.2 despite previous use of at least 2 csDMARDs. A comparison of demographic and RA-related characteristics between difficult-to-treat and low disease activity patients (DAS28-ESR ≤ 3.2) was performed. Comorbidity burden was assessed by calculating Rheumatic Diseases Comorbidity Index (RDCI). Logistic regression model was constructed for difficult-to-control disease. RESULTS: Hypertension (46.9% (95%CI, 44.7-49.2)), coronary artery disease (CAD) (18.5% (95%CI, 16.8-20.3)), and diabetes (14.4% (95%CI, 12.9-16.0)) were the most prevalent conditions in RA patients. When compared with the adequate control group, difficult-to-control patients were increasingly burdened with hypertension (52.7% (95%CI, 47.5-57.8) vs. 42.0% (95%CI, 36.6-47.6); p = 0.006), cardiovascular diseases (24.2% (95%CI, 20.1-28.9) vs. 11.1% (95%CI, 8.0-15.1); p < 0.001), respiratory system diseases (7.0% (95%CI, 4.8-10.2) vs. 3.3% (95%CI, 1.8-5.9); p = 0.03) and gastroduodenal ulcers (2.3% (95%CI, 1.2-4.4) vs. 0.3% (95%CI, 0.1-1.8); p = 0.04). Patients with higher RDCI had lower chance to obtain low disease activity (OR 0.69 (95%CI, 0.61-0.79); p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, RDCI was independently associated with difficult-to-control disease (OR 1.46 (95%CI, 1.21-1.76); p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: RA patients suffer from a variety of comorbidities. Cardiovascular and respiratory system diseases occur twice as often in difficult-to-control patients. RDCI may provide a valuable tool in evaluating a risk for difficult-to-control RA. Key Points • Hypertension, coronary artery disease and diabetes are the most prevalent comorbidities in rheumatoid arthritis. • Cardiovascular and respiratory tract diseases as well as gastroduodenal ulcers are more common among difficult-to-control patients, when compared with subjects with adequately controlled RA. • Rheumatic Diseases Comorbidity Index is an independent predictor for difficult-to-control RA.
INTRODUCTION: Difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a significant clinical problem despite no clear definition. We aimed to provide clinical characteristics and associated comorbidities of RA patients in relation to disease control. METHODS: RA characteristics and physician-recorded comorbidities were analyzed in a sample of 1937 RA patients. Patients treated for RA for 5.2 y (IQR, 2.1-11.3) were classified as difficult-to-control when presenting with DAS28-ESR > 3.2 despite previous use of at least 2 csDMARDs. A comparison of demographic and RA-related characteristics between difficult-to-treat and low disease activity patients (DAS28-ESR ≤ 3.2) was performed. Comorbidity burden was assessed by calculating Rheumatic Diseases Comorbidity Index (RDCI). Logistic regression model was constructed for difficult-to-control disease. RESULTS:Hypertension (46.9% (95%CI, 44.7-49.2)), coronary artery disease (CAD) (18.5% (95%CI, 16.8-20.3)), and diabetes (14.4% (95%CI, 12.9-16.0)) were the most prevalent conditions in RA patients. When compared with the adequate control group, difficult-to-control patients were increasingly burdened with hypertension (52.7% (95%CI, 47.5-57.8) vs. 42.0% (95%CI, 36.6-47.6); p = 0.006), cardiovascular diseases (24.2% (95%CI, 20.1-28.9) vs. 11.1% (95%CI, 8.0-15.1); p < 0.001), respiratory system diseases (7.0% (95%CI, 4.8-10.2) vs. 3.3% (95%CI, 1.8-5.9); p = 0.03) and gastroduodenal ulcers (2.3% (95%CI, 1.2-4.4) vs. 0.3% (95%CI, 0.1-1.8); p = 0.04). Patients with higher RDCI had lower chance to obtain low disease activity (OR 0.69 (95%CI, 0.61-0.79); p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, RDCI was independently associated with difficult-to-control disease (OR 1.46 (95%CI, 1.21-1.76); p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: RA patients suffer from a variety of comorbidities. Cardiovascular and respiratory system diseases occur twice as often in difficult-to-control patients. RDCI may provide a valuable tool in evaluating a risk for difficult-to-control RA. Key Points • Hypertension, coronary artery disease and diabetes are the most prevalent comorbidities in rheumatoid arthritis. • Cardiovascular and respiratory tract diseases as well as gastroduodenal ulcers are more common among difficult-to-control patients, when compared with subjects with adequately controlled RA. • Rheumatic Diseases Comorbidity Index is an independent predictor for difficult-to-control RA.
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