2016 Volume 28 Issue 2 Pages 121-129
[Objectives] Comprehensive disease remission (CDR) has gained attention as a new target for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment in recent years. Key factors for long-lasting CDR achievement were investigated statistically.
[Methods] Patient’s average 28-joint disease activity score (DAS28-CRP)， yearly progress of Sharp/van der Heijde Score (dSHS), health assessment questionnaire disability index (HAQ-DI), and CDR were calculated for a 1-year period after the first visit to our clinic by 421 RA patients who have been followed up for more than 3 years. Sensitivity and specificity of indices were statistically evaluated for each year from the 4th. Probability of CDR after the 4th year was statistically evaluated for DAS28-CRP and pain score using visual analogue scale (PS-VAS) at the first treatment year .
[Results] All four parameters demonstrated reliable sensitivity and specificity of approximately 90% for remission the following year. These were also demonstrated even from first year to fourth year. While more than 60% sensitivity for CDR at late year was demonstrated when DAS28-CRP at first year is controlled within 1.8. PS-VAS within 10mm demonstrated 80% sensitivity for CDR．
[Conclusion] These results suggested that initial treatment is very important for sustaining CDR． Pain control is also a reliable parameter for predicting CDR.
