Similar prognosis in late- and younger-onset rheumatoid arthritis

Key clinical point: Patients with late-onset rheumatoid arthritis (LORA) and younger-onset rheumatoid arthritis (YORA) had similar prognosis, but patients with LORA who reached remission were more likely to be on a less intensive treatment regimen.

Major finding: Time to remission was similar among patients with LORA and YORA (P = .36). Patients with LORA vs YORA were less likely to be on biologics or Janus kinase inhibitors (16% vs 27%; P = .0039) and more likely to be on a single conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (34% vs 27%; P = .0039) and oral glucocorticoids (27% vs 13%; P < .0001) at the time of remission.

Study details: This prospective cohort study included 872 patients diagnosed with RA at an age of ≥60 years (LORA; n = 354) or <60 years (YORA; n = 518).

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Disclosures: This study was funded by peer-reviewed grants from the Canadian Arthritis Network and others and unrestricted grants from AbbVie, Novartis, and other sources. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Li X et al. Late‑onset rheumatoid arthritis has a similar time to remission as younger‑onset rheumatoid arthritis: Results from the Ontario Best Practices Research Initiative. Arthritis Res Ther. 2022;24:255 (Nov 19). Doi: 10.1186/s13075-022-02952-1