Persistent arthritis develops in joints previously affected by palindromic flares: a longitudinal study investigating the transition from palindromic rheumatism to rheumatoid arthritis
Main finding · PIA in the same joint after prior involvement of that joint during a PR flareResult — go to the resultOdds ratio 1.97 95% CI 1.61–2.41Authors' conclusion
PR often begins in the hands and shoulders, and joint inflammation during PR usually precedes PIA in the same joints. Despite lower pain and disability, RA patients with PR show greater inflammatory joint burden at progression.
Study context
- Population
- Individuals at risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from Leeds research cohorts who progressed to persistent inflammatory arthritis48 palindromic rheumatism (PR) with complete joint data
- Exposure
- Joints previously involved in PR flares vs joints not involved; RA patients with vs without a PR prodrome
- PRn = 63
- Outcome
- Development of PIA in joints involved during PR flares
Methodological detailssingle-centre, cross-classified mixed-effects logistic regression
- Single-centre
- Cross-classified mixed-effects logistic regression
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
PIA in the same joint after prior involvement of that joint during a PR flare
Odds ratio
1.97
95% CI 1.61–2.41
P < 0.001
Prior involvement of a joint during a PR flare
OR 1.97 (95% CI 1.61–2.41); P < 0.001
- Persistent inflammatory arthritis (PIA) developed in joints involved at any PR flare (% of patients)
- 70.8%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | PR | Without PR | P value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swollen joint count at RA diagnosis | 4.1 | 3.2 | P = 0.045 |
HAQ and VAS scores at RA diagnosis
- Lower HAQ and VAS scores in PR than without PR
Original publication
Persistent arthritis develops in joints previously affected by palindromic flares: a longitudinal study investigating the transition from palindromic rheumatism to rheumatoid arthritis. RMD Open. Published 9 April 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →