15 Nov 2024 • New research challenged the idea that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is universally preceded by a symptomatic 'pre-RA' phase with clinically suspect arthralgia (CSA)

Among 699 patients who presented with CSA were younger, had a gradual symptom onset, and were more likely to be anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA)-positive.

Four distinct patient clusters emerged, two of which included most CSA-presenting individuals.

These patients showed poorer long-term outcomes, achieving sustained disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug-free remission (SDFR) less often.

The findings challenge the assumption that all RA patients undergo a symptomatic risk phase before diagnosis, which could impact the scope and focus of preventive strategies in RA care.

Source: BMJ Rheumatic & Musculoskeletal diseases Read full story