Transformative improvement with staggered gains in rheumatoid arthritis remission and sustained remission, but higher relapse rates: a population-based cohort study from 1990 to 2019
Authors' conclusion
Remission in RA has become earlier and more frequent over time, but durability has not improved. Strategies to sustain remission remain a critical unmet need.
Study context
- Population
- Adults with incident rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Olmsted County, Minnesota, USA, meeting 1987 or 2010 ACR criteria between 1990 and 2019, followed through 31 December 2023patients followed for a median of 9.4 years
- Participants
- 1,179 adults
- Exposure
- Cox models comparing calendar periods
- Outcome
- Remission and sustained remission (≥6 months), overall
- Follow-up
- Median 9.4 years
Methodological detailscompeting risk of death accounted for, Cox models adjusted for age, sex, baseline body mass index and serostatus
- Competing risk of death accounted for
- Cox models adjusted for age, sex, baseline body mass index and serostatus
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Achieved remission
816
Achieved sustained remission
630
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
One-year remission, defined by prespecified criteria
| Outcome | 1990-1999 | 2010-2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Relapse within 5 years after remission | 62.8% | — not stated in the abstract |
— not stated in the abstract
- Relapse within 5 years after remission: 2010-2023 period 79.2%
Median time to remission
Years
- Shortened from
- 6.4
- To
- 2.8
Original publication
Transformative improvement with staggered gains in rheumatoid arthritis remission and sustained remission, but higher relapse rates: a population-based cohort study from 1990 to 2019. RMD Open. Published 23 October 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →