Time Trends in Glucocorticoid Use in Rheumatoid Arthritis During the Biologics Era: 1999-2018
Main finding · GC initiation within 6 months of meeting RA criteriaResult — go to the resultAdjusted hazard ratio 1.29 95% CI 1.09–1.53Authors' conclusion
More patients are initiating GCs early in their disease course now compared to previously. The rates of GC discontinuation were similar, despite the availability of biologics.
Study context
- Population
- Population-based inception cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (1987 ACR criteria) diagnosed 1999–2018, followed until death, migration or 12/31/2020
- Participants
- 430 vs 399
- Exposure
- RA diagnosed 2009-2018 vs 1999-2008
- 2009-2018n = 430
- 1999-2008n = 399reference
- Outcome
- Glucocorticoid (GC) initiation within 6 months of meeting RA criteria
- Follow-up
- 6 months
Methodological detailslongitudinal follow-up through medical records, cumulative incidence adjusted for competing risk of death, Cox models adjusted for age and sex
- Longitudinal follow-up through medical records
- Cumulative incidence adjusted for competing risk of death
- Cox models adjusted for age and sex
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Adjusted hazard ratio
1.29
95% CI 1.09–1.53
By group
2009-2018vs 1999-2008
aHR 1.29 (95% CI 1.09–1.53)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | 1999-2008 | 2009-2018 | HR (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GC discontinuation within 6 months after GC initiation (GC users)Adjusted Cox models | 39.1% | 42.9% | 1.11 (0.93–1.31) | |
| 0.512Hazard ratio (log scale) |
Original publication
Time Trends in Glucocorticoid Use in Rheumatoid Arthritis During the Biologics Era: 1999-2018. Semin Arthritis Rheum. Published 5 May 2023. doi:10.
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