Characterization of a Subset of Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis for Whom Current Management Strategies are Inadequate.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

A subset of patients with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) do not mount a C-reactive protein (CRP) response during flares. We hypothesize that these patients are more likely to experience poor clinical care and less likely to respond to traditional therapy. This study questioned whether this presentation was associated with worse disease outcome and distinct immunological features.

Methods

Using Power Doppler ultrasound, 48 RA patients with active synovitis were recruited; 30 had normal (n)CRP (5 mg/L or less) and 18 had high (h)CRP (more than 5 mg/L) levels. All had equivalent disease burden assessed by other clinical and laboratory parameters.

Results

Time to diagnosis and time to first disease-modifying antirheumatic drug were significantly longer i

SUBMITTER: Bradford CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6857995 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature