title: Impact of tight control strategy on rheumatoid arthritis in Sarawak.
abstract: The aim of our study is to describe the impact of tight control strategy on the care of RA patients in Sarawak General Hospital. We performed a prospective study of all patients with a diagnosis of RA who received treatment at the Rheumatology Clinic in Sarawak General Hospital over a 1-year period. Systematic DAS-driven treatment adjustments aimed to achieve low disease activity (DAS 28-ESR <2.6) were carried out in the clinic over the 1-year period. Disease activity and treatment regimes of all 142 patients were collected for at baseline and 1 year later for statistical analysis. Our patients have a significantly lower DAS 28 with a mean of 2.99 ± 0.95 compared with baseline of 4.31 ± 1.34 (p < 0.000). More patients were in remission 1 year later compared to baseline (36.6% vs 11.3%). Tight control strategy has a positive impact on the care of RA patients in our centre. By optimising the care of RA through tight control strategy, RA can be better controlled in our centre.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Sarawak General Hospital, Jalan Hospital, 93450, Kuching, Sarawak, East Malaysia. tehchenglay@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Cheng Lay
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Teh
authors.forename: Jin Shyan
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Wong
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012074:Remission Induction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012219:Rheumatology / Q000379:methods*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents