Key clinical point: Despite limited radiological damage, rapid radiological progression (RRP) still occurred in about 1 of 5 patients in a real-world cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated to the target of remission. RRP was most strongly predicted by baseline erosive disease.
Major finding: Most radiological damage occurred in the first year of treatment vs subsequent 5 years of follow-up (median Sharp/van der Heijde score, 2.0 vs 3.0). Despite achieving low disease activity, almost 18.8% of the patients developed RRP within 6 months, and the number of patients with erosive disease increased from 16% at baseline to 58% at 6 years. The erosive disease was the strongest predictor of RRP (odds ratio, 8.8; P less than .001).
Study details: Findings are from the observational DREAM remission induction cohort involving 219 patients diagnosed with RA who had at least 1 radiograph of hands and feet at baseline and at least 1 additional pair of radiographs during 6 years of follow-up and were treated to the target of remission.
Disclosures: No external funding and/or potential conflicts of interest were reported.
Source: Versteeg GA et al. Scand J Rheumatol. 2021 Jun 21. doi: 10.1080/03009742.2021.1917161 .