Impact of tight control strategy on rheumatoid arthritis in Sarawak.
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.
Teh
Cheng Lay
CL
Unit of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Sarawak General Hospital, Jalan Hospital, 93450, Kuching, Sarawak, East Malaysia. tehchenglay@yahoo.com
Wong
Jin Shyan
JS
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
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents