Impact of shoulder, elbow, and knee joint involvement on assessment of rheumatoid arthritis using the American College of Rheumatology Core Data Set

Association of large joint involvement at the start of biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and Janus kinase inhibitors with disease activity and drug retention in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: The ANSWER cohort study

AIM

To investigate the association of large joint involvement (LJI) with disease activity and drug retention in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who started receiving a biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drug or Janus kinase inhibitor.

METHODS

Patients with RA from a Japanese multicenter observational registry were enrolled. Our definition of large joints included the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, and ankle joints. Linear mixed-effects models were used to examine changes in the clinical disease activity index (CDAI) score at Week 24 as the primary outcome, and drug retention rates were compared between patients with and without LJI using Cox proportional hazards models. We examined the potential effect modifications of changes in the CDAI by baseline characteristics.

RESULTS

Overall, 2507 treatment courses from 1721 patients were included (LJI, 1744; no LJI, 763). Although LJI was associated with significantly higher changes in CDAI from baseline at Week 24 (difference in change in CDAI: -5.84 [-6.65 to -5.03], p < .001), CDAI was significantly higher in patients with LJI over time. Retention rates were similar in both groups. The association of LJI with changes in disease activity was more prominent in patients with a short disease duration, negative anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies, and interleukin-6 receptor inhibitor (IL-6Ri) use.

CONCLUSION

Although LJI was associated with a greater reduction in disease activity from baseline, higher disease activity at baseline was not offset over time in patients with LJI, demonstrating that LJI is an unfavorable predictor. An early treat-to-target strategy using an IL-6Ri may be beneficial for patients with LJI.

The Extent and Nature of Functional Limitations According to the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Severe Functional Disability

BACKGROUND

For a subgroup of people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and severe disability, insight into their limitations is crucial for adequate treatment.

AIM

To describe the extent and nature of functional limitations in people with RA and severe disability and to explore the associations of the extent of the functional limitations with patient characteristics, disease characteristics, and outcome measures.

METHODS

Baseline data of 215 participants in an RCT on the (cost-)effectiveness of longstanding physiotherapy were used. Functional limitations were assessed with the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI). The total HAQ-DI including eight domain scores were calculated. Associations between high HAQ-DI scores (≥2, yes/no) and other variables were examined using the Student's t-test or Chi-squared test where appropriate.

RESULTS

The participants (90% women, age 58.8 ± 12.8 years) had a mean HAQ-DI score of 1.7 ± 0.5. The majority (56%) showed a moderate-to-severe disability in all domains. Higher HAQ-DI scores seemed to be associated with advanced age, longer disease duration, unemployment, joint replacements, and outcomes for daily functioning and physical quality of life, but not with measures of disease activity.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that a comprehensive assessment of all areas of daily activities in this subgroup is necessary in order to provide appropriate (non-)pharmacological care.

The relation between synovitis of individual finger joints and grip force over the first 5 years in early rheumatoid arthritis - a cohort study

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to investigate the relation between swelling and tenderness of individual finger joints and grip force in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS

In an inception cohort of patients with early RA (symptom duration < 12 months), all patients were examined by the same rheumatologist, and grip force was measured using the Grippit instrument at inclusion, 1 and 5 years. The average grip force values of each hand were evaluated and expressed as % of expected values, based on age- and sex-specific reference values. Linear regression analyses were used to assess the cross-sectional relation between the involvement of individual finger joints and grip force. In generalized estimating equations, the impact of time-varying synovitis/tenderness on grip force over time was estimated. Analyses were adjusted for wrist involvement, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and patient-reported pain.

RESULTS

In 215 patients with early RA, grip force was 39% of expected at diagnosis, and increased to 56% after 5 years. Synovitis of the first metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint (60% and 69% at baseline in the right and left hand) was associated with reduced grip force at inclusion (adjusted ß - 9.2 percentage unit of expected grip force; 95% CI - 13.6 to - 4.8 for both hands combined) and at all follow-up evaluations. Synovitis of MCP I and MCP IV (12% at baseline) was significantly associated with reduced grip force over time in both hands. Proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint swelling, and tenderness of MCP or PIP joints, had less impact on grip force.

CONCLUSION

MCP I synovitis is the major contributor to reduced grip force in patients with early RA. This underlines the importance of the involvement of the thumb for impaired hand function in RA. MCP IV synovitis, but not PIP involvement or finger joint tenderness, also has a substantial impact on grip force.

How do symptoms of each joint contribute to global pain, disease activity and functional disability in rheumatoid arthritis?-A comprehensive association study using a large cohort

BACKGROUND

Established assessment tools for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), including disease activity scores (DASs), disease activity indexes (DAIs), visual analog scales (VASs), and health assessment questionnaires (HAQs), are widely used. However, comparative associations between joint involvement and disease status assessment tools have rarely been investigated.

METHODS

We included a dataset of 4016 patients from a large RA cohort from 2012 to 2019. The tenderness and swelling of each joint were counted as a symptom, with 70 and 68 affected joints throughout the body, respectively. The relative contribution of various joints to the disease status assessment tools, VAS scores, and functional disability indexes was analyzed using multiple regression analysis.

RESULTS

The wrist showed the most significant contribution overall, especially in DASs and VASs, while the metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints made significant contributions to DASs and DAIs, but not to VASs and HAQs. The shoulder and the elbow significantly contributed to HAQs, but only the shoulder did to the VASs. The knee universally contributed to all of the tools, but the ankle played a minor but important role in most assessment tools, especially in HAQs. Similar but different contribution ratios were found between the sets of DASs, DAIs, VASs, or HAQs.

CONCLUSIONS

Each joint makes a unique contribution to these assessment tools. The improvement or aggravation of symptoms in each joint affects the assessment tools in different manners.

Clinical variables, including novel joint index, associated with future patient-physician discordance in global assessment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity based on a large RA database in Japan

BACKGROUND

Discordance between patient global assessment (PGA) and physician global assessment (PhGA) of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity is mainly determined by pain and functional disabilities. This study aimed to investigate the shift in PGA-PhGA discordance and the variables associated with future positive discordance (PGA > PhGA) based on the NinJa database in Japan.

METHODS

We examined 7557 adults with RA registered in both NinJa 2014 and 2018, with a discordance cutoff of 3 on a 10-cm scale. The affected joint distribution was investigated using the joint indices x, y, and z, which were calculated as indices for the upper joint, lower joint, and large joint involvement, respectively. The variables in NinJa 2014 that were associated with positive discordance in NinJa 2018 were examined using binary stepwise logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Due to the small number of patients with RA categorized as having negative discordance (PGA < PhGA), we focused on patients with RA categorized as having either concordance or positive discordance. Logistic regression analysis revealed that positive discordance in NinJa 2018 was associated with age, pain, modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (mHAQ) score, corticosteroid use, and existent positive discordance and was inversely associated with C-reactive protein (CRP) and x at baseline (NinJa 2014). The same findings were observed when patients with RA were divided based on the discordance status at baseline. Persistence (positive discordance to positive discordance) was associated with pain and mHAQ scores but inversely associated with CRP.

CONCLUSIONS

Positive discordance may persist. Circumventing this requires adequate management of pain and functional impairment.

The effect of rheumatoid arthritis on upper extremity functions: A kinematic perspective

AIM

To examine the global upper extremity kinematics in 3D while performing "jar opening motion" in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and to compare these with healthy individuals.

METHOD

Twenty-four women (12 healthy, 12 RA) were included. Evaluations were made with a JAMAR dynamometer, Health Assessment Questionnaire, and 3D kinematic analysis of global upper extremity during "jar opening motion." The time taken during "jar opening motion" was analyzed in 2 parts (Part 1, Part 2), with total time: part 1 + part 2. In addition, shoulder-to-table distance; elbow flexion angle; wrist extension angle; the area scanned and angular rotation by arm, forearm and hand were used in the analysis.

RESULTS

Between groups, there was a statistical difference in: bilateral hand grip strength; part 1, part 2, total time; shoulder-to-table distance; elbow flexion angle; the area scanned by hand; angular rotation of arm and hand in favor of the healthy group (P < .05). In stepwise multiple regression analysis, the most predictive variable for disability was elbow flexion, explaining 53.9% of disability.

CONCLUSION

Compared to healthy individuals, individuals with RA have slower motion, more elbow flexion, less hand grip strength, circular pattern in hand, rotation in arm and hand. Increased disability may result in greater load on elbow flexion.

Surgical Intervention for Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis is Declining Except for Foot and Ankle Surgery: A Single-Center, 20-Year Observational Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

A global downward trend in the number of rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-related surgeries has been reported. The purpose of our study was to investigate the latest trends in RA-related surgeries in a single-center Japanese RA cohort.

METHODS

This study was a retrospective analysis of RA-related surgeries between 2001 and 2020 in the Institute of Rheumatology Rheumatoid Arthritis cohort. An average of 4,944 patients per semiannual survey was included in the study. The primary goal was to analyze the half-year period prevalence proportion (HPP) of RA-related surgeries in a 20-year period, and the secondary goal was to analyze the HPP of surgeries by site or by categories of disease activity.

RESULTS

There has been a downward trend in the HPP of RA-related surgeries in the 20-year study period. The total HPP of RA-related surgeries decreased by 50.3% during the 20-year study period. There was a significant decrease in knee, hip, shoulder/elbow, and hand procedures. Only foot/ankle joint surgeries significantly increased in volume during this period (p=0.001). The HPP of RA-related surgeries remained unchanged in patients with remission or low disease activity.

CONCLUSION

The number of RA-related surgeries decreased over a 20-year period, but foot/ankle joint surgeries increased in the site-specific evaluation.

Ultrasonography of Shoulder in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Reliability Exercise Using Consensual Definitions among Maghrebian Rheumatologists

The shoulder may be affected in a large portion of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) worldwide. However, this joint does not receive the attention required during follow-up. Indeed, although numerous clinical tests for diagnosis of a painful shoulder are available, differentiating articular from peri-articular lesions may be difficult in daily practice. Fortunately, the precise diagnosis of shoulder pain in RA has benefited from a reliable imaging modality used to detect its exact origin-ultrasonography (US). This study was aimed at assessing the intra- and inter-observer reliability of ultrasonographic findings for patients with established RA with shoulder pain in a patient-based exercise as a clinical challenge among Maghrebian rheumatologist experts in US. A total of 7 operators examined 10 patients in two rounds independently and blindly of each other. Before beginning the session, all of the rheumatologists reached a consensus on sites and US settings by performing a brief exercise on a normal shoulder. Outcome Measures in Rheumatology Clinical Trials (OMERACT) definitions of US-detected pathologies were used. Each patient underwent US scanning of the painful shoulder in predefined sites based on US technical guidelines of the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology: long head of biceps (LHB), subscapularis recess, posterior recess and axillary recess. The presence of subdeltoid or subcoracoid bursitis or full rupture of the suprasupinatus was identified if present. Intra- and inter-observer reliability measures were calculated using the κ coefficient. Intra-observer reliability was good for gray-scale (GS) synovitis in subscapularis and posterior recesses (κ = 0.77 and 0.73, respectively). It was moderate in the presence of GS synovitis and effusion in LHB (κ =0.53 and 0.40, respectively), posterior and subscapularis recess effusion (κ = 0.56 and 0.60, respectively) and GS and power Doppler (PD) synovitis in axillary recesses (κ = 0.58 and 0.49, respectively). Inter-observer reliability was good for PD for LHB signals (κ = 0.78). It was moderate for GS for LHB synovitis (κ = 0.54). Inter-observer agreement was poor for effusion and GS synovitis for subscapularis, posterior and axillary recesses, and very poor for PD signals in these recesses. US was a reliable imaging tool for detecting tenosynovitis in the LHB. However, reliability was moderate to poor in detecting synovitis in subscapularis, posterior and axillary recesses. These findings could be optimized by standardization of sites to assess.

Midterm clinical outcomes of reverse shoulder arthroplasty in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis using patient-reported outcome measures (Shoulder36)

Background

Reverse shoulder arthroplasty normally has adequate functional outcomes in patients with cuff tear arthropathy. The present study aimed to investigate the midterm clinical outcomes of reverse shoulder arthroplasty in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Methods

Between July 2014 and May 2016, reverse shoulder arthroplasty was performed in 14 rheumatic shoulders with joint destruction and rotator cuff tears. The range of motion, Constant score, and Shoulder36, which is a patient-reported outcome measure, were compared preoperatively and postoperatively. The prevalence of subscapular notching, subscapular osteophytes, postoperative fractures, and stress shielding of the humeral stem were evaluated by X-ray.

Results

Range of motion significantly improved from 77 to 122 degrees in flexion and from 67 to 111 degrees in abduction at four years. The Constant score significantly improved from 27 to 62, and each domain of Shoulder36 also significantly increased at four years. There was no dislocation, infection, or loosening of the prosthesis. Three shoulders presented scapular notching, and three cemented humeral stems showed stress shielding in the proximal humeral cortical bone.

Conclusion

Reverse shoulder arthroplasty performed in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis not only decreased the pain and improved the function of the shoulder joint but also significantly improved patients' health and activity of daily living in midterm results.

The relation between upper extremity joint involvement and grip force in early rheumatoid arthritis: a retrospective study

To investigate the relation between joint involvement in the upper extremities and grip force in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). An inception cohort of 225 patients with early RA was followed according to a structured protocol. The same rheumatologist assessed all patients for swollen joints and joint tenderness. Grip force was measured (Grippit; AB Detektor, Gothenburg, Sweden) at the same visit. Average grip force values for the dominant hand were expressed as % of expected, based on age- and sex-specific reference values from the literature. Associations between grip force and current synovitis or tenderness of individual joints, and other disease parameters measured at the same visit, were examined. Patients with current synovitis of the wrist joint or ≥ 1 metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint of the dominant hand had a significantly lower grip force at inclusion, at 1 year and at 5 years. Proximal interphalangeal joint tenderness and MCP joint tenderness were consistently associated with reduced grip force. In multivariate analysis, extensive MCP joint synovitis was associated with lower grip force at inclusion (β - 2.8% per joint; 95% CI - 5.3 to - 0.4), and also at the 1-year follow-up. Patient reported pain scores and erythrocyte sedimentation rates had independent negative associations with grip force at all time points. In patients with early RA, extensive synovitis of the MCP joints was associated with reduced grip force, independently of other upper extremity joint involvement. Pain and inflammation have effects on hand function beyond those mediated by local synovitis.

Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis Were Associated with a Risk of Rotator Cuff Diseases

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) commonly causes inflammation in the joints and periarticular structures. The association between RA and rotator cuff (RC) has been reported; however, epidemiological studies on RA and RC tendons are scant. Therefore, we investigated RC disease (RCD) risk and analyzed the effects of RA medication, steroids, and methotrexate, on the risk of RCD for patients with RA. We conducted a retrospective cohort study with a 6-year longitudinal follow-up in Taiwan. Patients who received RA diagnoses between 2004 and 2008 were enrolled in the study cohort. The non-RA control cohort comprised age- and sex-matched controls. Propensity score matching was used for other comorbidities and treatments. The hazard ratios (HRs) and adjusted HRs (aHRs) were estimated after confounders were adjusted for. Effects of steroid and methotrexate use on RCD risk were also analyzed. We enrolled 4521 RA patients (study cohort) and 22,605 matched controls. RCD incidence was 145 and 91 per 100,000 person-years in the RA and control cohorts, respectively. In the RA cohort, the crude HR for RCD was 1.62 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.41–1.86, p < 0.001), and the aHR was 1.56 (95% CI, 1.36–1.79, p < 0.001). The methotrexate nonusers exhibited an aHR (vs. controls) of 1.61 (95% CI, 1.40–1.85, p < 0.001), but the methotrexate users did not have a significantly higher aHR than the controls. The steroid nonusers had an aHR (vs. controls) of 1.69 (95% CI, 1.46–1.96, p < 0.001), but the aHR of the steroid users was not significantly higher than the control aHR. Patients with RA had a higher risk for RCD compared with the non-RA control cohort. Steroids or methotrexate use significantly reduces the risk of RCD occurrence in patients with RA. Treatment for RCD symptoms and controlling inflammatory process are important to ensure high-quality care for patients with RA.

Influence of large joint involvement on patient-physician discordance in global assessment of rheumatoid arthritis disease activity analyzed by a novel joint index

OBJECTIVES

The discordance between patient global assessment (PGA) and physician global assessment (PhGA) of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity may be problematic in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to identify determinants of this discordance using a nationwide RA database in Japan (NinJa) with special attention to large joint involvement.

METHODS

We investigated 12 043 adults with RA and used a discordance cutoff of 3 cm. Large joint involvement was investigated using novel joint indices (x, y, z), where x and y were the indices for upper and lower joints, respectively, and z was for large joint predominance. Predictors of PGA-PhGA discordance and determinants of PGA and PhGA were analyzed by multivariate logistic and linear regression models, respectively.

RESULTS

Multivariate logistic regression identified age, pain and high modified Health Assessment Questionnaire score as predictors of positive discordance (PGA ≥ PhGA), whereas parameters of disease activity in RA (C-reactive protein, x and y), class 3-4 functional status, and z were found to predict against positive discordance. Linear regression analysis revealed that PGA was mainly determined by pain, whereas PhGA was determined by various other factors.

CONCLUSIONS

RA care providers should focus on pain and functional disability to decrease PGA-PhGA discordance. High disease activity and large joint involvement decreased PGA-PhGA discordance, indicating that the number and distribution of affected joints influenced the perception of disease activity by patients with RA and their physicians.

Concurrent one-stage total knee and hip arthroplasty due to sequel of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis: A case report

RATIONALE

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic systemic connective tissue disease. Total hip and knee arthroplasties are common major orthopaedic procedures worldwide.

PATIENT CONCERNS

To date, no studies have presented 1-stage concurrent total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We reported a case which is, to our knowledge, the first description of both THA and TKA in a patient with RA simultaneously.

DIAGNOSES

History of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), deterioration of signs and symptoms in history and physical examinations and radiography were lead to making decision for her surgery.

INTERVENTIONS

Concurrent total hip replacement and total knee arthroplasty were performed for patient.

OUTCOMES

After more than a 2-year follow-up time, the patient showed excellent clinical function and remained satisfied with the surgical outcome. Multiple simultaneous total joint arthroplasty (TJA) is reviewed in this article.

LESSONS

Joint arthroplasty surgeries can be performed in a simultaneous procedure to shorten disability and rehabilitation time with one anesthesia.

The relationship between synovitis quantified by an ultrasound 7-joint inflammation score and physical disability in rheumatoid arthritis - a cohort study

Background

Restoring normal physical functioning is a major therapeutic aim in the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It is unknown, whether the extent of synovial inflammation quantified by musculoskeletal ultrasound (US) can predict current or future capacity for physical functioning. To answer this question we investigated the longitudinal relationship between physical function assessed by the health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) and the German 7-joint ultrasound score (US7S) in a prospective cohort of patients with RA.

Methods

Patients with RA (n = 185 (46 with incident and 139 with prevalent disease) were followed for 30.9 ± 9.1 months. Baseline and annual assessments comprised the disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28), HAQ and US7S. The US7S includes semiquantitative measurements of synovitis assessed by greyscale (GS) and power Doppler (PD) in seven joints of the clinically dominant hand and foot, which are then aggregated in PD and GS synovitis sum-scores (PDsynSS and GSsynSS). A linear mixed-effect model was used to assess the longitudinal relationship between GSsynSS, PDsynSS and HAQ. We used standard and time-lag models to explore the association between HAQ, and GSsynSS, PDsynSS and DAS28 measured at the same time or at the previous visit 12 months ago, respectively.

Results

When the standard model was applied, in univariate analyses HAQ score was positively associated with GSsynSS and PDsynSS with β coefficients significantly higher in incident than in prevalent disease. In multivariate analysis both synSSs were individually no longer significant predictors of HAQ score. When using the time-lag model, after adjustment for the previous DAS28 or HAQ score, both PDsynSS and GSsynSS were significantly and negatively associated with the current HAQ.

Conclusions

US7 PD and GS synovitis sum-scores alone were positively associated with current functional status reflected by the HAQ in patients with RA, and this relationship was stronger in patients with early disease. When combined with the DAS28 or HAQ, US7 PD and GS synovitis sum-scores were predictive of the change in HAQ score over one year.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13075-016-1208-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Prediction of Large Joint Destruction in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis Using 18F-FDG PET/CT and Disease Activity Score

The assessments of joint damage in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are mainly restricted to small joints in the hands and feet. However, the development of arthritis in RA patients often involves the large joints, such as the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, and ankle. Few studies have been reported regarding the degree of large joint destruction in RA patients. F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) visualizes the disease activity in large joints affected by RA. In this study, the associations between destruction of the large joints and the findings of FDG-PET/CT as well as laboratory parameters were investigated, and factors associated with large joint destruction after the administration of biological therapy were identified in RA patients. A total of 264 large joints in 23 RA patients (6 men and 17 women; mean age of 66.9 ± 7.9 years) were assessed in this study. FDG-PET/CT was performed at baseline and 6 months after the initiation of biological therapy. The extent of FDG uptake in large joints (shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle) was analyzed using the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax). Radiographs of the 12 large joints per patient obtained at baseline and after 2 years were assessed according to Larsen's method. A logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the factors most significantly contributing to the progression of joint destruction within 2 years. Radiographic progression of joint destruction was detected in 33 joints. The SUVmax at baseline and 6 months, and the disease activity score (DAS) 28-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) at 6, 12, and 24 months were significantly higher in the group with progressive joint destruction. The SUVmax at baseline and DAS28-ESR at 6 months were found to be factors associated with joint destruction at 2 years (P < 0.05). The FDG uptake in the joints with destruction was higher than that observed in the joints without destruction. The SUVmax at baseline and the DAS28-ESR at 6 months after the biological treatment were identified to be significant factors predicting destruction of the large joints at 2 years.

Translation, cultural adaptation and reproducibility of the Oxford Shoulder Score questionnaire for Brazil, among patients with rheumatoid arthritis

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE Although shoulder questionnaires validated for Brazil do exist, none of them are aimed at populations with rheumatic disease. We believe that the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) may be useful in this population. The objective of this study was to translate the OSS, adapt it to Brazilian culture and test its reproducibility. DESIGN AND SETTING Validation study conducted in university outpatient clinics. METHODS The OSS was translated into Portuguese by two English teachers and was then retranslated into English by two native English teachers. These translations were reviewed by a committee to establish the version of OSS-Brazil to be administered to 30 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and shoulder pain, in order to test the cultural adaptation. The validity and reproducibility was tested among another 30 patients with RA and shoulder pain, of both genders and aged 18 to 65 years. The internal consistency and reproducibility were analyzed. The following instruments were evaluated: OSS-Brazil; a numerical scale for shoulder pain; DASH; HAQ and SF-36. RESULTS The internal consistency was 0.957 and the intra and inter-rater reproducibility was 0.917 and 0.861, respectively. A high level of correlation was found between OSS-Brazil and the following: HAQ (-0.663), DASH (-0.731) and the SF-36 domains of functional capacity (0.589), physical aspects (0.507), pain (0.624), general state of health (0.444), vitality (0.634) and mental health (0.578). CONCLUSION OSS-Brazil was successfully translated and adapted, and this version exhibited good internal consistency, reliability and construct validity.

The impact of joint disease on the Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire scores in rheumatoid arthritis patients: A cross-sectional study using the National Database of Rheumatic Diseases by iR-net in Japan

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effect of bilateral and unilateral joint disease on the Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (MHAQ) scores and the differences in joint weighting in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

METHODS

A total of 9212 subjects from the Japanese nationwide cohort database NinJa, 2011, were analyzed. The presence or absence of disease in each joint, including swelling and/or tenderness, was investigated. The correlations between bilateral and unilateral disease in each joint and MHAQ scores were investigated using multivariable logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The patients' mean age and disease duration was 63.2 and 12.2 years, respectively. The Disease Activity Score-28 was 3.3. The odds ratios of physical impairment according to the MHAQ using multivariable logistic regression models for bilateral and unilateral joints, respectively, were: shoulder, 4.0 and 1.8; elbow, 2.6 and 1.8; wrist, 1.9 and 1.5; hip, 1.7 and 3.0; knee, 2.6 and 1.9; ankle, 2.3 and 2.0, finger, 1.4 and 1.2; and toe, 1.0 and 1.1. The shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee, and ankle had a significant effect on physical impairment.

CONCLUSIONS

The MHAQ score was significantly affected by shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee, and ankle joint disease. Furthermore, bilateral disease tended to have a greater effect on physical impairment than unilateral disease.

Thirty-day complications in rheumatoid patients following total knee arthroplasty

Although total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is highly successful for patients with end-stage rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the risks and complications associated with surgery in this cohort are less defined. The objectives of our study were to analyze the demographic and perioperative factors of RA patients that may affect post-TKA outcomes, as well as to assess the 30-day complication rates compared to osteoarthritis patients. We retrospectively evaluated the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database from 2006 to 2012 to assess all patients who underwent a primary TKA and had a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (n = 141) or primary knee osteoarthritis (n = 7125). We evaluated and compared the demographic factors, social factors, preoperative factors, operative factors, and postoperative complications. The RA cohort had a lower mean age and body mass index than patients in the OA group. There was also a significantly higher incidence of women and Hispanics in the RA cohort. There was a lower incidence of diabetes and hypertension requiring medication in the rheumatoid cohort, but also a higher incidence of bleeding disorders. The RA cohort had an increased proportion of patients requiring blood transfusions and had a longer mean length of stay. The incidence of pneumonia and postoperative bleeding that required transfusion was also higher in RA patients. Rheumatoid patients had higher rates of wound infections, pulmonary embolisms, and deep vein thrombosis; however, these findings were not significant. Although RA patients with end-stage knee arthritis may benefit from TKA, these patients should be preoperatively optimized to minimize complication risks.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis promotes arthritis development through Toll-like receptor 2

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a multifactorial disease caused by genetic and environmental factors: however, precise molecular mechanisms underlying its pathogenesis remain largely unknown. Treatment of RA patients with disease-modifying biological agents occasionally promotes Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection or recurrence of M. tuberculosis, although how infection promotes arthritis has not been characterized. Here, we found that arthritis phenotypes in a collagen-induced mouse model were evident only when killed M. tuberculosis was co-administered. Treatment of cultured macrophages with killed M. tuberculosis promoted production of IL-6, a major inflammatory cytokine in RA patients, while similar treatment of TLR2-deficient macrophages failed to induce IL-6 expression. Arthritis scores, joint destruction, and serum IL-6 levels were all significantly ameliorated in TLR2-deficient compared with wild-type mice, even in animals treated with killed M. tuberculosis. These results suggest that M. tuberculosis infection enhances arthritis development and that TLR2 could serve as a therapeutic target for some forms of the disease.

Total knee arthroplasty considerations in rheumatoid arthritis

The definitive treatment for advanced joint destruction in the late stages of rheumatoid arthritis can be successfully treated with total joint arthroplasty. Total knee arthroplasty has been shown to be a well-proven modality that can provide pain relief and restoration of mobility for those with debilitating knee arthritis. It is important for rheumatologists and orthopedic surgeons alike to share an understanding of the special considerations that must be addressed in this unique population of patients to ensure success in the immediate perioperative and postoperative periods including specific modalities to maximize success.

Development and validation of a new radiographic scoring system to evaluate bone and cartilage destruction and healing of large joints with rheumatoid arthritis: ARASHI (Assessment of rheumatoid arthritis by scoring of large joint destruction and healing in radiographic imaging) study

OBJECTIVE

To assess the reliability and sensitivity of a novel scoring method to evaluate the radiographic appearance of and longitudinal changes including joint remodeling in large joints with early and established rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS

The ARASHI study group devised new radiographic scoring systems (Status score; range 0-16 points, and Change score; range -11 to 12 points) for evaluation of large joints with RA. Radiographs showing anterior/posterior views of large joints (shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, and ankle joints) taken at two time points (mean interval 2.3 years) were collected from 25 patients with established RA (5 patients for each of the 5 joints, 50 films in total), and an additional 5 films of each joint with severe joint destruction were collected from 5 different sets of RA patients. After consensus on the definition of each component and reader training, images were evaluated using the Larsen's grading system and the ARASHI Status and Change score by 9 independent senior orthopedic surgeons. The reliability was estimated by intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) and measurement error by 95% confidence intervals of minimum detectable change (MDC95).

RESULTS

ARASHI Status score and Change score significantly correlated with Larsen's grade (r = 0.89, P < 0.0001) and follow-up-baseline differences in Larsen's grade (r = 0.83, P < 0.0001), respectively. Inter-reader ICCs were very high for both Status score (0.88, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.83-0.92, P < 0.001) and Change score (0.92, 95% CI, 0.87-0.96, P < 0.001). Intra-reader ICCs were also very high for both Status score (0.92, 95% CI, 0.71-0.98, P < 0.001) and Change score (0.97, 95% CI, 0.91-0.99, P < 0.001). The MDC95 for inter-reader agreement were 4.18 (25% of maximum obtainable score, MOS) and 4.99 (21% of MOS) for Status score and Change score, respectively. The MDC95 for intra-reader agreement was acceptable with 2.82 (17% of MOS) and 3.02 (13% of MOS) for Status score and Change score, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The ARASHI scoring method showed good inter-/intra-reader reliability with high ICCs and acceptable MDC95 with respect to each large joint and the components of both Status and Change scores. The results suggest that the ARASHI scoring method might be useful for the assessment of status, as well as longitudinal monitoring of destruction and remodeling of large joints with RA.

A three-dimensional finite element analysis of finger joint stresses in the MCP joint while performing common tasks

The goal of this study was to develop a three-dimensional finite element model of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint to characterize joint contact stresses incurred during common daily activities. The metacarpal and proximal phalanx were modeled using a COMSOL-based finite element analysis. Muscle forces determined from a static force analysis of two common activities (pen grip and carrying a weight) were applied to the simulation to characterize the surface stress distributions at the MCP joint. The finite element analysis predicted that stresses as high as 1.9 MPa, similar in magnitude to stresses experienced at the hip, may be experienced by the subchondral bone in the MCP joint. The internal structure and material properties of the phalanges were found to play a significant role in both the magnitude and distribution of stresses, but the dependence on cancellous bone modulus was not as severe as predicted by previous two dimensional models.

Analysis of direct medical and nonmedical costs for care of rheumatoid arthritis patients using the large cohort database, IORRA

OBJECTIVES

Our goal was to determine the annual direct medical and nonmedical costs for the care of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using data from a large cohort database in Japan.

METHODS

Direct medical costs [out of pocket to hospitals and pharmacies and for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)] and nonmedical costs (caregiving, transportation, self-help devices, house modifications) were determined for RA patients who were participants in the Institute of Rheumatology, Rheumatoid Arthritis (IORRA) studies conducted in October 2007 and April 2008. Correlations between these costs and RA disease activity, disability level, and quality of life (QOL) were assessed.

RESULTS

Data were analyzed from 5,204 and 5,265 RA patients in October 2007 and April 2008, respectively. The annual direct medical costs were JPY132,000 [out of pocket to hospital (US$1 = JPY90 in 2007)], JPY84,000 (out of pocket to pharmacy), and JPY146,000 (CAM). Annual direct nonmedical costs were JPY105,000 (caregiving), JPY22,000 (transportation), JPY30,000 (self-help devices), and JPY188,000 (house modifications). Based on the utilization rate for each cost component, the annual medical and nonmedical costs for each RA patient were JPY262,136 and JPY61,441, respectively. Costs increased with increasing RA disease activity and disability level or worsening quality of life (QOL).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the IORRA database, patients with RA bear heavy economic burdens that increase as the disease is exacerbated. The results also suggest that the increase in medical and nonmedical costs may be ameliorated by the proactive control of disease activity.

The influence of individual joint impairment on functional disability in rheumatoid arthritis using a large observational database of Japanese patients

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the influence of individual joint impairment on functional capacity through a retrospective study with a 3-year interval, using a large cohort of Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS

Subjects included 3457 patients with RA who participated in a large observational cohort study in both April 2004 and April 2007; 43 joints were assessed and classified into 10 joint areas. Impairment of each joint area was scored based on the presence of swelling or tenderness: score 0 (no swelling or tenderness in either joint), score 1 (swelling or tenderness in a unilateral joint), and score 2 (swelling or tenderness in bilateral joints). Score change was defined as the difference between scores from 2004 and 2007. The Japanese validated version of the Health Assessment Questionnaire is the J-HAQ; ΔJ-HAQ score was determined by subtracting J-HAQ score in 2007 from that in 2004. The relationship between score change and ΔJ-HAQ score, and the effect of joint impairment on ΔJ-HAQ score were assessed.

RESULTS

Major joint areas that contributed to ΔJ-HAQ score included the wrist (31%), shoulder (21%), knee (13%), and ankle (10%). The shoulder, wrist, knee, and ankle in the worsening group were associated with a J-HAQ score increase of 0.13 to 0.18 compared to the improvement group.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrated that impairment of the shoulder, wrist, knee, and ankle significantly affects functional capacity in patients with RA. Care of these joints is suggested to be especially important for better functional outcomes.

A biomechanical analysis of finger joint forces and stresses developed during common daily activities

The problem of modelling stresses incurred at the finger joints is critical to the design of durable joint replacements in the hand. The goal of this study was to characterise the forces and stresses at the finger and thumb joints occurring during activities such as typing at a keyboard, playing piano, gripping a pen, carrying a weight and opening a jar. The metacarpal and proximal phalanx were modelled using a COMSOL-based finite element analysis. Analysis of these activities indicates that joint forces in excess of 100 N may be common at the metacarpophalangeal joint (MCP) due to carrying objects such as groceries or while opening jars. The model predicted that stresses in excess of 2 MPa, similar to stresses at the hip, occur at the MCP with the properties of cancellous bone playing a significant role in the magnitude and distribution of stress.

A comparison of perioperative outcomes in patients with and without rheumatoid arthritis after receiving a total shoulder replacement arthroplasty

HYPOTHESIS

The long-term survival rate of total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) is comparable to hip and knee arthroplasty. Although TSA is considered a safe and effective procedure with low complications in patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), data are lacking on perioperative complications. Complication rates and hospital disposition differences between patients with and without RA who underwent TSA were investigated. We hypothesized that RA patients would have poorer perioperative outcomes after TSA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample was used to capture 25,398 patients between 1988 and 2005 who underwent TSA. Of these, 1,186 patients had a primary diagnosis of RA and were compared with 24,212 patients without RA. Analyses addressed perioperative complications and hospital disposition factors using bivariate and logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Overall complication rates were exceptionally low in both groups. Hospital disposition factors were significantly different between the 2 groups. The RA cohort had shorter average lengths of stay, higher likelihood of routine discharge, and lower inflation-adjusted cost before and after adjustment for covariates.

DISCUSSION

The occurrence of complications in the perioperative setting was less than 1% for both study groups in most variables investigated, and there were only minimal differences in perioperative complications between the groups. The significant differences in hospital disposition factors suggest that patients with RA may have less complex hospital stays and may be more comfortable being discharged under their own care. Recent studies describing the overall improvement in the management of patients with RA may also help explain these findings.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that the perioperative complications of a total shoulder replacement for patients with and without RA are similar. Contrary to our expectations, TSA patients with RA had shorter and less costly hospital stays and were more likely to have routine discharge. Complications are likely more long-term in nature than detected in this study and require longer follow-up beyond perioperative periods for fruition.

Effects of long-term corticosteroid usage on functional disability in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis, regardless of controlled disease activity

We investigated the effect of long-term corticosteroid usage in suppressing the progression of functional disability in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We studied 3,982 RA patients, who had continuous enrollment for at least 3 years, among 9,132 RA patients enrolled in an observational cohort study, IORRA, in Tokyo, Japan, from 2000 to 2007. The DAS28 and Japanese version of Health Assessment Questionnaire (J-HAQ) scores were collected at 6-month intervals (each phase). Among these patients, those with DAS28 values under 3.2 in all phases and RA disease duration under 2 years at study entry were selected as "early RA patients with well-controlled disease". These patients were further classified into 3 groups based on average months of steroid usage per year: Non-users, Medium-users, and Frequent-users. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to study the relationship between steroid usage and the final J-HAQ scores. Among the 3,982 patients, 109 had DAS28 values under 3.2 in all the phases and were selected as study cohort. The average Final J-HAQ in Non-user (N = 64), in Medium-user (N = 25), in Frequent-user group (N = 20) was 0.04, 0.06, and 0.33, respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis after adjusting for all potential covariates confirmed that frequent steroid usage was the most significant factor associated with higher final J-HAQ scores (P < 0.05). Frequent steroid usage was associated with significantly higher final J-HAQ scores in early RA patients, even though their disease was managed efficiently by maintaining the DAS28 values under 3.2 over a long-term period.

Medical care costs of patients with rheumatoid arthritis during the prebiologics period in Japan: a large prospective observational cohort study

Our objective was to describe outpatient medical care costs of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the prebiologics period in Japan. The outpatient costs of 6,771 RA patients (17,666 patient years) who were enrolled in an observational cohort study at the Institute of Rheumatology, Rheumatoid Arthritis (IORRA), in Tokyo, Japan, were calculated from the billing records dated from 2000 to 2004. Associations between outpatient costs and variables such as age, RA duration, RA disease activities, and disability levels were assessed. The average outpatient cost gradually increased (+7.7% in 4 years) from 271,498 JPY per year in 2000 to 292,417 JPY per year in 2004. Medications accounted for approximately 50% of total outpatient costs, which increased 29.6% during the 4 years. The outpatient costs increased in association with aging, longer RA duration, higher Disease Activity Score of 28 Joints (DAS28), and higher Japanese version of Health Assessment Questionnaire (J-HAQ) score. Generalized linear regression analysis revealed that both DAS28 and J-HAQ scores were the most significant factors associated with outpatient costs (p < 0.001). Outpatient costs for patients with RA increased year after year over the 4-year period under observation in Japan. Medical costs were higher with increasing RA disease activity and disability levels.

Risk factors associated with incident fractures in Japanese men with rheumatoid arthritis: a prospective observational cohort study

There are limited data in the literature concerning risk factors for incident fractures in men with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We evaluated the association between potential risk factors and incident clinical fractures in male Japanese patients with RA. A total of 1050 male patients with RA were enrolled in a prospective, observational cohort study from 2000 to 2005. Participants were followed from 6 to 66 months (median follow-up, 48.7 months) and classified into three groups according to their incident fracture status from baseline: no new fracture, any new nonvertebral fracture, and new clinical vertebral fracture. The associations of potential risk factors were analyzed by Cox proportional hazards models. During follow-up, 30 patients (2.9%) developed a new nonvertebral fracture or a vertebral fracture. The baseline age, history of total knee replacement (TKR), and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were associated with any nonvertebral fracture [baseline age: hazard ratio (HR), 1.08, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.03-1.14; history of TKR: HR 6.02, 95% CI 1.19-30.42; and CRP: HR 0.60, 95% CI 0.38-0.95]. The baseline Japanese health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) score and daily dose of prednisolone were also associated with the incidence of clinical vertebral fractures (HR 7.74, 95% CI 2.10-28.48, and HR 1.28, 95% CI 1.14-1.45, respectively). Older age, history of TKR, and low serum CRP levels appear to be associated with any incident nonvertebral fracture in Japanese men with RA. High HAQ disability score and baseline doses of daily prednisolone may correlate with incident clinical vertebral fracture in Japanese men with RA.

Risk factors for total knee arthroplasty in rheumatoid arthritis

We conducted a study to assess the predictive factors for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in a cohort of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients recruited and followed prospectively for 5 years. A linked registry study using information from a large observational cohort of RA patients followed at the Institute of Rheumatology, Tokyo Women's Medical University (IORRA) was done. Baseline routine clinical and laboratory assessments were recorded. The data were analyzed using the multivariate piecewise-linear Cox (PL-Cox) regression model; the model initially included variables such as gender, age, duration of the disease, visual analog scale (VAS) generated by physicians (VAS-physician), patient-reported VAS for pain (VAS-pain), VAS for general health (VAS-GH), disability level using the Japanese version of the Health Assessment Questionnaire (J-HAQ), C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, rheumatoid factor (RF), and hemoglobin. Of the 3945 patients registered at baseline, 955 (24.2%) had pain or tenderness in their knee joints, and 114 (11.9%) had TKA surgery in one or both knee joints. On PL-Cox regression, the variables with positive coefficients were J-HAQ, VAS-pain, VAS-physician, and RF positive; advanced age was associated with a reduced risk of TKA. The hazard ratios were: 0.920 for age >60 years; 2.64 for J-HAQ <1.5; 1.01 for J-HAQ >1.5; 1.47 for VAS-pain >6 (cm); 1.20 for VAS-physician >4 (cm); and 2.08 for RF positive. The consistently predictive factors for TKA in RA were age, J-HAQ, VAS-pain, VAS-physician, and RF positive. Age greater than 60 years was associated with a decreased risk of TKA, while J-HAQ from 0 to 1.5, VAS-pain >6 (cm), and VAS-physician >4 (cm) were associated with an increased risk for TKA surgery. These results suggest that, when treating RA patients, physicians should pay particular attention to pain complaints, the patient's daily activity level, and the RF factor status.

Improvement of disease activity of rheumatoid arthritis patients from 2000 to 2006 in a large observational cohort study IORRA in Japan

The objective of this study was to show whether the disease activity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients had improved in Japan, and whether the improvement of disease activity had resulted in a better outcome of patients. In a single-institute-based prospective observational cohort of RA patients (Institute of Rheumatology, Rheumatoid Arthritis, IORRA), a total of 7512 patients were enrolled, and their information was collected biannually. A cross-sectional data set A that included all patients in each phase was analyzed. From October 2000 to April 2006, disease activity score DAS28 significantly improved from 4.15 to 3.63, and the frequency of patients in remission (DAS28 < 2.6) increased from 8.5% to 21.5%. During this period, the frequency of methotrexate users increased from 33.9% to 58.7% and the average dosage of methotrexate also increased from 5.59 mg/week to 6.94 mg/week; on the other hand, there was no increase in any adverse reaction among the methotrexate users. To investigate the relationship between longitudinal disease control and progression of disability, a longitudinal data set B that included 712 patients who completed all phases of the study from 2000 to 2006 was selected and was analyzed. The disability index JHAQ of a poorly controlled group (average DAS > 5.1) increased (+34.8%), that of a moderately controlled group (average DAS 3.2-5.1) also increased (+14.0%), but that of a well-controlled group (average DAS < 3.2) decreased (-13.0%). In conclusion, by using a prospective observational cohort IORRA in Japan, we demonstrate that RA disease activity improved from 2000 to 2006, which correlates with an increased use of methotrexate. The suppression of disease activity resulted in a better outcome for patients.

Posttraumatic ankle arthritis: an update on conservative and surgical management

This manuscript offers current information regarding the examination, conservative treatment, and surgical treatment for individuals with posttraumatic arthritis. Although inflammatory and osteoarthritis can occur, posttraumatic arthritis is the most common form of arthritis to affect the ankle. Posttraumatic ankle arthritis occurs in a generally younger, active population. It is radiographically characterized by an asymmetrical degenerative process and may be associated with a history of trauma, instability, and/or lower extremity malalignment. When choosing between conservative/nonoperative versus surgical intervention, the extent of subchondral bone exposed and the time over which the arthritis has developed are factors that should be considered. The role and effectiveness for conservative treatment, such as medication, patient education, shoe modification, bracing, stretching, mobilization, strengthening, and symptom management, needs to be further determined. Surgical procedures for posttraumatic ankle arthritis can include distraction arthroplasty, arthrodesis, or total ankle arthroplasty. Unlike the relatively new procedure of distraction arthroplasty, the outcomes for arthrodesis have been well defined. Arthrodesis generally has a good outcome, but its limitations have been recognized. These limitations include the extended time required to achieve fusion, potential for nonunion, arthritis developing in adjacent joints, leg length discrepancy, malalignment, chronic edema, symptoms due to the hardware, stress fractures, and continued pain. While first generation total ankle arthroplasty led to poor results, advancements in prosthetic design and surgical technique have revived optimism regarding total ankle arthroplasty as an alternative to arthrodesis. The key for the future of total ankle arthroplasty may not be related to the development of newer ankle components but rather in refining the criteria to determine who would best benefit from joint replacement versus fusion.

Failure to confirm association between PDCD1 polymorphisms and rheumatoid arthritis in a Japanese population

Programmed cell death 1 (PDCD1) is a necessary negative regulator to maintain peripheral tolerance and is a key molecule in the development of autoimmune diseases. Although PDCD1 gene polymorphisms and haplotypes were reported to be associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), replication studies later on showed conflicting results. Here, we analyzed the association of PDCD1 with RA using a large series of Japanese RA patients and population-based controls. DNA samples were obtained from 1,504 RA patients and 449 sex-matched controls. All samples were genotyped for three SNPs on PDCD1 (PD-1.1, PD-1.3 and PD-1.5) using the TaqMan fluorogenic 5' nuclease assay. Chi-square testing was performed for a case-control study, and the PENHAPLO program was used for haplotype estimation. We could not observe any significant association of PD-1.1 or PD-1.5 polymorphisms between RA. PD-1.3, which was reported to be involved in susceptibility to RA in patients of European descent, was non-polymorphic in the Japanese population. We conclude that polymorphisms in the PDCD1 gene analyzed here are not associated with RA in a Japanese population.

Influence of methotrexate dose on its efficacy and safety in rheumatoid arthritis patients: evidence based on the variety of prescribing approaches among practicing Japanese rheumatologists in a single institute-based large observational cohort (IORRA)

The optimal methotrexate dose differs between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, and dose-escalation strategies also differ among rheumatologists. By taking advantage of the heterogeneous methotrexate dosing that occurs among Japanese rheumatologists, we analyzed the efficacy and safety of different methotrexate doses. A large observational cohort of RA patients, IORRA, was established in 2000. A dataset from April 2003 that included 4578 RA patients was used for a cross-sectional analysis, while a dataset of 1649 patients who received methotrexate from October 2000 to October 2005 was used for a longitudinal analysis. The cross-sectional analysis included 12 rheumatologists who prescribed methotrexate to more than 60 patients. Mean methotrexate dose ranged widely (4.8-9.0 mg/week) among rheumatologists with a significant positive relationship between average methotrexate dose and the percentage of patients with Disease Activity in 28 Joints (DAS28) scores below 3.2. During the longitudinal analysis, both methotrexate prescription frequency and the average dose prescribed by 16 rheumatologists increased. Overall disease activity as assessed by DAS28-area under the curve (AUC) and disability progression as assessed by Japanese version of the Health Assessment Questionnaire (JHAQ)-slope inversely correlated with the extent of methotrexate use. This study demonstrated that extensive methotrexate use effectively suppressed RA disease activity and inhibits disability progression. In addition, we have found that it is critical to pay attention to patient-reported adverse reactions.

Functional staging and surgical intervention of the elbow and shoulder joints in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis

BACKGROUND

A 46-year-old, nonsmoking, nulliparous woman with a 23-year history of rheumatoid arthritis presented with severely destructed right shoulder, right elbow, and right wrist joints, which resulted in a complete loss of working ability.

INVESTIGATIONS

Physical examination, X-ray, MRI, ultrasound, functional staging using the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, the Patient Rated Elbow Evaluation, the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand, and the health-related quality-of-life Short Form 36 questionnaire, determination of the c-reactive protein level, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, Disease Activity Score 28 and the metalloproteinase profile, and histology of removed synovial tissue.

DIAGNOSIS

Severe destruction of the right shoulder and elbow (Larsen grade IV) resulting from late-stage seropositive rheumatoid arthritis.

MANAGEMENT

Reconstruction of the elbow and ipsilateral shoulder in a two-step procedure: replacement of the elbow joint with a semiconstrained Gschwend-Scheier-Bahler III (GSB III) elbow prosthesis (Zimmer, Inc., Warsaw, IN) followed by replacement of the shoulder with the Promos Modular Shoulder System (Plus Orthopedics AG, Rotkreuz, Switzerland) 1 month later. The patient received 4 weeks of inpatient rehabilitation.