Predicting rapid radiographic progression in difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis: insights from long-term follow-up.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To investigate the long-term trajectory of radiographic progression in difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis (D2T RA) and poly-refractory RA (pr-RA) patients and to evaluate the impact of ultrasound-based persistent inflammatory refractory RA (PIRRA) and non-inflammatory refractory RA (NIRRA) classification on predicting rapid radiographic progression (RRP, ≥5 mSvdH units/year).

Methods

Radiographic damage was assessed using the modified Sharp/van der Heijde (mSvdH) score in EULAR-defined D2T RA patients. PIRRA and NIRRA subgroups were classified based on a single ultrasound time point assessing grayscale and power Doppler synovitis. The impact of time-integrated CRP and swollen joint counts (SJC) on radiographic progression was examined.

Results

Among 25

SUBMITTER: Abacar K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12862374 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature