Older versus younger onset rheumatoid arthritis: results at onset and after 2 years of a prospective followup study of early rheumatoid arthritis.
The influence of age at onset was studied in a prospective followup of early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Patients greater than or equal to 60 years (n = 71) showed significantly more often an onset in both large and small joints and higher disease activity at the start compared with patients less than 60 years (n = 142). The higher disease activity was still present after 2 years of followup (greater than or equal to 60 years, n = 46, less than 60 years, n = 101); as well, there was a tendency towards more radiographic damage. Rheumatoid factor (RF) and DR4 were comparable in both age groups. Our data show a more severe course in older age RA. This disagreement with the literature is probably due to the fact that many studies are cross sectional with unbalance of RF in the 2 age groups.
van der Heijde
D M
DM
Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
van Riel
P L
PL
van Leeuwen
M A
MA
van 't Hof
M A
MA
van Rijswijk
M H
MH
van de Putte
L B
LB
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000473:pathology*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D001175:Arthrography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015804:HLA-DR4 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007596:Joints / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000097:blood
D015804:HLA-DR4 Antigen; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor