Persistence on therapy is a major determinant of patient-, physician- and laboratory- reported outcomes in recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis patients.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate impact of persistence on therapy on sustained major patient-, physician- and laboratory-reported outcomes (PROs, PHYROs and LAROs, respectively) in 112 recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.


METHODS
At each visit a rheumatologist interviewed patients regarding therapy, morning stiffness and fatigue, scored the 28-joint disease activity score and a visual analogue scale (VAS) and determined acute-phase-reactants. The patients completed the Hispanic version of the Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Activity Index, the Medical Outcome Short Form 36 (SF-36), the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), a pain-VAS and an overall-disease activity-VAS. Persistence was defined by self-report through directed interview. Sustained major PROs, PHYROs and LAROs were defined according to cut-offs, when maintained for ≥6 months and until last follow-up. Descriptive statistics, Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox models were used.


RESULTS
Total person-time of receiving therapy was of 375.5 patient-years. From February 2004 to June 2009, 36 (32.1%) patients were persistent. Baseline PROs/PHYROs/LAROs showed active disease and poor health status in both groups, but persistent patients (PP) had significantly lower HAQ (p=0.03) and overall-disease activity-VAS (p=0.01). More PP reached a sustained major SF-36-physical function-score (p=0.02). Persistence was the greatest independent risk factor for sustained major PROs (but absence of fatigue) and PHYROs, (p≤0.04). Time from baseline to major and sustained PROs (excluded absence of fatigue), PHYROs and C-reactive protein were shorter in PP (p≤0.04).


CONCLUSIONS
Persistence was a strong predictor for major and sustained outcomes in early RA. Favourable outcomes appear earlier in persistent than in non-persistent patients.
Contreras-Yáñez
I
I
Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México DF, México. irazucy@yahoo.com.mx
Cabiedes
J
J
Villa
A R
AR
Rull-Gabayet
M
M
Pascual-Ramos
V
V
D000328:Adult; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007596:Joints / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D002097:C-Reactive Protein