Disentangling heterogeneity in contemporary undifferentiated arthritis – A large cohort study using latent class analysis
Authors' conclusion
Using a data-driven unsupervised approach, five subgroups within contemporary UA were identified. These have differences in the natural course of disease.
Study context
- Population
- Autoantibody-negative undifferentiated arthritis (UA) patients (not fulfilling 1987/2010 RA criteria, no alternate diagnosis), Leiden Early Arthritis Clinic, 1993–2006, when early DMARD treatment in UA was infrequent
- Participants
- 310 consecutive UA patients
- Exposure
- Class 1 vs Class 2 vs Class 3 vs Class 4 vs Class 5
- Outcome
- Subgroups based on combinations of clinical features; test characteristics for spontaneous resolution of arthritis and RA development
- Follow-up
- 1 year
Methodological detailslatent class analysis, data-driven unsupervised approach, consecutive patients
- Latent class analysis
- Data-driven unsupervised approach
- Consecutive patients
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Five classes identified; location and number of swollen joints most distinguishing
5
Patients without spontaneous resolution (persistent disease) nearly absent in monoarthritis classes: specificity
>90%
Patients who developed RA infrequent in monoarthritis classes: sensitivity
<7%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
Disentangling heterogeneity in contemporary undifferentiated arthritis – A large cohort study using latent class analysis. Semin Arthritis Rheum. Published 9 August 2023. doi:10.
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