Risk factors for wrist surgery in rheumatoid arthritis

To assess the risk factors for wrist surgery in a cohort of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients recruited and followed prospectively for 6 years. A linked registry study was performed using information from a large observational cohort of RA patients followed at the Institute of Rheumatology, Tokyo Women's Medical University. Baseline routine clinical and laboratory assessments were recorded. The data were analyzed using the multivariate Cox regression model that included variables such as gender, age, disease duration, a visual analog scale (VAS) generated by physicians, a patient-reported VAS for pain (VAS-pain), a VAS for general health, disability level using the Japanese version of the Health Assessment Questionnaire (J-HAQ), erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and serum levels of C-reactive protein and rheumatoid factor as potential risk factors. Of the 5,497 patients registered at baseline, 122 (2.22%) had surgery on one or both wrist joints. Multivariate Cox regression analysis of the variables revealed positive coefficients for J-HAQ and VAS-pain and that advanced age and long RA duration were associated with a reduced risk of wrist surgery. The hazard ratios were: 1.515 for J-HAQ, 1.126 for VAS-pain, 0.985 for age, and 0.964 for RA duration. Advanced age and long RA duration were associated with a decreased risk of wrist surgery, while J-HAQ and VAS-pain were associated with an increased risk. The identification of the risk factors for wrist surgery provides important insights into the course of the disease and its impact on patients, as well as the potential consequences for health care resource utilization planning.