Unveiling the arthritis divide: Exploring treatment response and impact in late-onset vs. young-onset rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objectives The impact of osteoarthritis (OA) on the initial treatment response of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by treat-to-target practice was compared between the patients with an onset age of ≥65 years old [late-onset RA (LORA)] and those with an onset age of <65 years old [young-onset RA (YORA)]. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on the patients with RA, who were referred to Department of Rheumatology, Niigata Rheumatic Center without treatment between January 2021 and July 2022. Patients with grade ≥3 OA according to the Kellgren–Lawrence (K–L) classification in either the knee or hand were classified in the OA (+) group and others were in the OA (−) group. The clinical data were compared at diagnosis and 1 year after the initial treatment between the groups for 74 LORA and 59 YORA patients, respectively. Results One year after starting treatment in the LORA patients, the OA (+) group had poorer disease activity control and greater disability in several activities of daily living than the OA (−) group. In the YORA patients, there were no differences in activities of daily living disability between the groups. Conclusions In the initial treatment of the LORA patients, the prevalence of OA was high, and the impact of OA on LORA was larger than on YORA.