Study shows historical differences in outcomes for people with arthritis

A new study has shed light on how outcomes for people diagnosed witharthritis since the turn of the century compare to those diagnosed in the 1990s. The study, published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, examines how disease activity, disability and mortality have changed over time for people with early inflammatory arthritis. Using data from the‘Norfolk Arthritis Register (NOAR)’, the researchers compared outcomes for 1,022 people recruited between 1990 and 1994, to outcomes for another 631 people recruited from 2000 to 2004. The team looked at factors such as swollen and tender joints and disability levels among the two groups. They also compared ten-year mortality levels and the risk of cardiovascular mortality. Interesting historical findings The study showed that disease activity - measured by the number of swollen joints - was 17 per cent lower for the more recently recruited patients. However, pain (ie, number of tender joints) and disability appeared to be much the same for both groups. No significant difference in mortality rate was found beyond what has been seen in the general population. The study was led by Dr James Gwinnutt and Dr Suzanne Verstappen at the Arthritis Research UK Centre for Epidemiology. NOAR is led by Professor Alex MacGregor from the University of East Anglia. Dr Verstappen said:"The results show the value of investing in long-term observational studies in patient populations with chronic diseases”. "The findin...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news