Abstract
Abstract
Objectives
To compare the current disease activity and remission rates, and their regional variation in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Finland.
Methods
Data of patients’ most recent visit in 1/2020–9/2021 were extracted from the Finnish Rheumatology Quality Register. Measures for disease activity and remission included joint counts, DAS28, cDAPSA, CDAI, the Boolean definition, and physician assessment. Regression analyses were applied, adjusted for age and sex.
Results
Data of 3598 patients with PsA (51% female, mean age 54 years) and 13,913 patients with RA (72% female, 74% ACPA-positive, mean age 62 years) were included. The median (IQR) DAS28 was 1.9 (1.4, 2.6) in PsA and 2.0 (1.6, 2.7) in RA (p = 0.94); for cDAPSA, the median (IQR) values were 7.7 (3.1, 14) in PsA and 7.7 (3.3, 14) in RA (p < 0.001). In all regions in both diseases, the median DAS28 was ≤ 2.6 and the median cDAPSA < 13. Remission rates included DAS28 < 2.6 in 73% in PsA and 69% in RA (p = 0.17) and Boolean remission in 17% in PsA and 15% in RA (p < 0.001). By other definitions of remission, the rates ranged between 30% and 46%. Methotrexate was currently used by 49% in PsA and 57% in RA (p < 0.001). Self-administered bDMARDs were currently used by 37% in PsA and 21% in RA (p < 0.001).
Conclusion
The overall disease activity was low and similar in patients with PsA and RA across the country. Remission rates varied between 15 and 73%, depending on the definition but were similar in PsA and RA.
Key Points• The disease activity and clinical picture was similar between patients with PsA and RA, in a cross-sectional setting in 1.2020–9.2021.• A significant majority of patients with PsA had low disease activity or were in remission according to cDAPSA. Majority of patients with RA were in remission according to DAS28.• Patients with PsA and RA used methotrexate similarly. The utilization of bDMARDs was more prevalent in patients with PsA.
Funder
Amgen
The Finnish Psoriasis Assoiation
The Finnish Society for Rheumatology
The Research Committee of the Kuopio University Hospital Catchment Area for the State Research Funding
University of Eastern Finland
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
General Medicine,Rheumatology
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