The influence of sex on patients with rheumatoid arthritis in a large observational cohort.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the sex differences of various components of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).


METHODS
Data of 4823 patients from a large observational cohort study were analyzed. Remarkable differences were noted between the sexes, and overall, women had significantly higher disease activity.


RESULTS
When variables were adjusted using sex, age, and duration, Health Assessment Questionnaire, rather than Disease Activity Score, contributed most to sex difference. Further analysis showed evidence that progression of disability was approximately 3 times more rapid in female patients compared to male patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Women overall have higher RA disease activity and are prone to greater and faster progression of disability over time.
Iikuni
Noriko
N
University of California, Los Angeles, Department of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. niikuni@mednet.ucla.edu
Sato
Eri
E
Hoshi
Masaya
M
Inoue
Eisuke
E
Taniguchi
Atsuo
A
Hara
Masako
M
Tomatsu
Taisuke
T
Kamatani
Naoyuki
N
Yamanaka
Hisashi
H
D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019370:Observation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors