Time trends in disease activity, response and remission rates in rheumatoid arthritis during the past decade: results from the NOR-DMARD study 2000–2010

Abstract

During the last decade, baseline RA disease activity level at the time of starting MTX as well as TNFi+MTX decreased from high to moderate. A more than twofold increase in 6-month remission rates was observed in both groups. Our findings indicate that clinicians have implemented modern, more aggressive treatment strategies, which hopefully will lead to better long-term disease outcomes.

Rheumatoid arthritis is still expensive in the new decade: a comparison between two early RA cohorts, diagnosed 1996–98 and 2006–09

“…Similar results are presented in a German study, reporting increased drug costs in 2002 compared to 1997-98 (26). Increased use of steroids was also shown in a recent Norwegian study (24), suggesting increased adherence to EULAR recommendations (27). The increased usage of folic acid could be associated with the increased prescription of MTX as supplementation, and has also been shown by others (24).…”

“…Increased use of steroids was also shown in a recent Norwegian study (24), suggesting increased adherence to EULAR recommendations (27). The increased usage of folic acid could be associated with the increased prescription of MTX as supplementation, and has also been shown by others (24). By contrast, costs for gastroprotectors were lower in T2, mainly due to prices being lowered.…”

“…Most studies emphasize that DMARDs should be started as soon as the diagnosis is set (23). In a recent Norwegian study, the time from diagnosis to DMARD start decreased from average 10 months in 2000 to 10 days in 2010, and this led to a substantial increase in remission rates (24). Besides the increased use of MTX, there has also been a gradual increase in average doses, from 7,5-15 mg/week up to 20-30 mg/week (25).…”

Change Over Time in the Pattern of Clinical Response to First-line Biologic Drugs in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Observational Data in a Real-life Setting

“…Those data showed the gradual change of biologic-treated population baseline characteristics toward the inclusion of patients with early RA, less disability, and a lower disease activity, demonstrating a better rheumatologists' adherence to T2T strategy. As remarked by Aga, et al in a Norwegian Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drug Registry cohort analysis, during the last decade clinicians have implemented modern, more aggressive treatment strategies, which will lead to better longterm disease outcomes 8 .…”

Can Shared Decision Making Help Eliminate Disparities in Rheumatoid Arthritis Outcomes?

“…After all, there has been an explosion in RA treatment options and strategies, which has made remission a realistic target 2 . Earlier, more aggressive, and better treatment of RA has resulted in greatly improved outcomes compared to past decades 3 . Barton, et al's study is not only important but timely, because not all have shared equally from the therapeutic benefits of the biologic era.…”