Repair of Bone Erosions in Rheumatoid Arthritis with DMARDs
Author Information
Author(s): Ideguchi Haruko, Ohno Shigeru, Hattori Hideaki, Senuma Akiko, Ishigatsubo Yoshiaki
Primary Institution: Yokohama City University Medical Center
Hypothesis
Can repair of erosions occur in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs?
Conclusion
The study found that repair of erosions was observed in 10.7% of rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with conventional DMARDs, associated with lower disease activity.
Supporting Evidence
- 44 repairs were observed in 13 patients (10.7%).
- Patients in the repair observed group had lower functional class at baseline.
- The mean disease activity was lower at follow up in the repair observed group.
- Changes in radiographic scores per year were lower in the repair observed group.
Takeaway
Some people with rheumatoid arthritis can heal their bone damage if their disease is less active and they are treated properly.
Methodology
The study included 122 RA patients with paired sequential radiographs and compared clinical characteristics between those with and without erosion repair.
Limitations
The study was retrospective and had a relatively small number of patients with erosion repair.
Participant Demographics
103 females (84.4%) and 19 males (15.6%), aged 22–85 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.01 for functional class at baseline, p<0.005 for disease activity at follow up
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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