Real-world clinical outcomes of patients with disproportionate articular pain in rheumatoid arthritis: ANSWER cohort study
Authors' conclusion
DP was present in approximately 8% of RA patients. Persistent DP was associated with higher TJC, greater number of previous b/tsDMARDs, and lower inflammation.
Study context
- Population
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients initiating b/tsDMARDs, ANSWER cohort, Japan, January 2010–June 2024; DP = at least seven more tender joints than swollen joints at baseline432 with DP
- Participants
- 5,489 patients
- Exposure
- Persistence of disproportionate articular pain across b/tsDMARD mechanisms of action: TNFi vs CTLA4-Ig vs IL-6i vs Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi)
- Outcome
- Prevalence of DP and persistence of DP by MOA
- Follow-up
- 3 and 6 months
Methodological detailsmulticentre registry (ANSWER cohort), multivariate analysis
- Multicentre registry (ANSWER cohort)
- Multivariate analysis
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Prevalence of DP among RA patients · baseline
DP prevalence
7.8%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
DP persistence by MOA · 3 months
DP persistence by MOA · 6 months
Factors associated with persistent DP (multivariate analysis)
- Higher TJC and previous treatment with ≥2 b/tsDMARDs associated with persistent DP; higher CRP protective
DP persistence within JAKi
- Baricitinib showed lower DP persistence vs other JAKi
Original publication
Real-world clinical outcomes of patients with disproportionate articular pain in rheumatoid arthritis: ANSWER cohort study. Scand J Rheumatol. Published 19 June 2026. doi:10.
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