Global variation in the quality of care for rheumatoid arthritis and associated factors
Authors' conclusion
Disparities in RA-related care exist across gender, age, and geographic regions.
Study context
- Population
- Global rheumatoid arthritis (RA) burden data (incidence, mortality and prognostic indicators), 1990–2021
- Exposure
- Males vs Females
- Outcome
- Modified Quality of Care Index (QCI) for RA
- Follow-up
- 2021
Methodological detailsprincipal component analysis, Joinpoint regression, linear mixed models
- Principal component analysis
- Joinpoint regression
- Linear mixed models
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
QCI for RA
Males
77.25
Females
71.12
- Global Quality of Care Index (QCI) for RA
- 72.09
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | Males | Females |
|---|---|---|
| AAPC of RA QCI, 1990–2021 (Joinpoint regression) | 0.22 (interval 0.20–0.23) | 0.29 (interval 0.28–0.30) |
AAPC of RA QCI, 1990–2021 (Joinpoint regression)
- Global AAPC 0.30 (0.29-0.31)
Factors associated with QCI (LMM)
- Age, gender, year and SDI all significantly associated with QCI
- P < 0.05
- Positive correlations with QCI: under 14 years, 20-24 years, 40-54 years, 70-74 years, males, high-SDI regions
- Negative correlations with QCI: 15-19 years, 25-39 years, 55-69 years, 75 years and above
Original publication
Global variation in the quality of care for rheumatoid arthritis and associated factors. Arthritis Res Ther. Published 26 January 2026. doi:10.
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