[Poor prognostic factors in rheumatoid arthritis patients]

To determine the factors associated with a poor prognosis in patients with RA at a 3rd level hospital.

Observational, analytical, longitudinal study of a cohort of patients with RA. The study continued for one year. The following were assessed as PPFs: sex, comorbidities, smoking, DAS 28 (disease activity), ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate), CRP (C-reactive protein), ACCP (anti-citrullinated peptide antibody), RF (rheumatoid factor), and bone erosions. To statistical analysis: A Cox proportional hazards analysis was performed to analyze PPFs.

A total of 260 patients were included, 26 failures and 234 censored, predominantly female sex, mean age 47 ± 11.7 years, the PPFs were: ACCP, late start of DMARD, and smoking. ACCP positive have 5.8 times the risk of escalating treatment, late DMARD have 4.6 times and those who smoked 7.7 times the risk.

Defining the PPFs remains a great challenge for researchers, however, it is imperative to identify them to predict the response to treatment and thus limit the functional and life damage of patients.