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Predicting factors for severity of rheumatoid arthritis: a prospective multicenter cohort study of 172 patients over 3 years

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Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis may take an unfavourable course leading to rapid functional decline in a certain percentage of patients. Early identification of these patients is desirable. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical and laboratory parameters for their value in the prediction of bad outcome. A total of 172 patients with early arthritis were followed for 3 years. Higher initial values for erythrocyte sedimentation rate, IgG and IgM rheumatoid factor, serum concentration of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein, Health Assessment Questionnaire score, Larsen score of feet, disease activity score, and swollen and tender joint count predicted worse outcome. An association with the presence of IgA rheumatoid factor or anti-cyclic-citrullinated peptide could not be established. We conclude that prognosis in an individual with rheumatoid arthritis depends on many factors. The determination of independent prognostic factors for progression of rheumatoid arthritis is a valuable tool in early arthritis to select patients for more aggressive therapy.

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Abbreviations

a-CCP:

Anti-cyclic-citrullinated peptide

ACR:

American College of Rheumatology

AKA:

Anti-keratin autoantibodies

ANOVA:

Analysis of variance

APF:

Anti-perinuclear factor

COMP:

Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein

CRP:

C-reactive protein

DAS:

Disease activity score

DMARD:

Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug

EORA:

Early onset rheumatoid arthritis

ESR:

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate

GC:

Glucocorticoid

HAQ:

Health assessment questionnaire

HLA-DRB1:

Human leucocyte antigen

IgA RF:

Rheumatoid factor of the immunoglobulin A

IgG RF:

Rheumatoid factor of the immunoglobulin G

IgM RF:

Rheumatoid factor of the immunoglobulin M

IL-1:

Interleukin-1

LOCF:

Last observation carried forward

LORA:

Late-onset rheumatoid arthritis

MTX:

Methotrexate

MS:

Microsoft

NSAID:

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug

RA:

Rheumatoid arthritis

RF:

Rheumatoid factor

TNF-α:

Tumour necrosis factor–alpha

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Special Hospital NOEGKK, Baden, Austria

    E. Wagner

  2. Ludwig Boltzmann Forschungsstelle for Epidemiology of Rheumatic Diseases, Baden, Austria

    E. Wagner

  3. Institute of Rheumatology of the Kurstadt Baden in cooperation with Danube-university Krems, Baden, Austria

    E. Wagner, G. Kolarz & A. Wottawa

  4. Hanusch Hospital, Vienna, Austria

    K. Ammer

  5. Department of Internal Medicine, General Hospital Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia

    I. Krajnc

  6. Semmelweis University of Medicine (ORFI center), Budapest, Hungary

    E. Palkonyai & P. Temesvari

  7. Special Hospital SVA Bauern, Baden, Austria

    O. Scherak

  8. Special Hospital SVA Gewerbl. Wirtschaft, Baden, Austria

    C. Schödl

  9. Special Hospital PVA Laab im Walde, Laab im Walde, Austria

    F. Singer

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  1. E. Wagner
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Correspondence to E. Wagner.

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Wagner, E., Ammer, K., Kolarz, G. et al. Predicting factors for severity of rheumatoid arthritis: a prospective multicenter cohort study of 172 patients over 3 years. Rheumatol Int 27, 1041–1048 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-007-0343-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-007-0343-4

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