Lower socioeconomic status is associated with a more severe course of rheumatoid arthritis: A 7-year follow-up study
Authors' conclusion
RA-patients with low SES maintained higher DAS44 throughout the disease course and were less likely to achieve Boolean remission.
Study context
- Population
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients from the Leiden Early Arthritis Clinic, followed for 7 years
- Participants
- 789 patients
- Exposure
- Low vs high socioeconomic status (SES)
- Outcome
- RA severity: DAS44, Boolean remission and sustained DMARD-free remission (SDFR)
- Follow-up
- 7 years
Methodological details7-year follow-up, mediation analyses
- 7-year follow-up
- Mediation analyses
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
DAS44
β
0.37
95% CI 0.18–0.56P < 0.001
at diagnosis
β
0.36
95% CI 0.22–0.49P < 0.001
over time
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | Estimate | P value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boolean remission · 7-year follow-upLOW SESvs HIGH SESLow SES achieved Boolean remission less often | OR for achieving Boolean remission 0.52 (95% CI 0.37–0.75) | P < 0.001 | |
| SDFR (sustained absence of synovitis after discontinuing DMARDs ≥1 year) · 7-year follow-upLOW SESvs HIGH SESSimilar chance of achieving SDFR | HR for achieving SDFR 1.0 (95% CI 0.7–1.5) | P = non-significant | |
| 0.20.5125Ratio (log scale) |
Mediation of higher DAS44 at diagnosis in low SES
- Not mediated by patient delay, BMI, smoking or work-related physical strain
Original publication
Lower socioeconomic status is associated with a more severe course of rheumatoid arthritis: A 7-year follow-up study. Joint Bone Spine. Published 18 September 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →