Early rheumatoid arthritis: Clinical and functional outcomes of a cohort treated in a high complexity hospital, Cali-Colombia

Abstract Background Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune multisystemic disease that affects the synovial joints. An appropriate and early management improves prognosis and course of the disease. Objective To evaluate the clinical and functional outcomes of patients with RA. Methodology Observational study with longitudinal follow up in a cohort of patients with early RA, with less than 12 months of evolution, classified according to the European League Against Rheumatism and American College of Rheumatology (ACR 2010) criteria. Remission criteria were taking into account according to Disease Activity Scale (DAS28-VSG), clinical activity disease index, and functional status according to Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire. Results The analysis included 99 patients with a mean age of 47.8 + 15.5 years, and of which 92 (93%) were women. All patients were treated with synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. At 3 months of follow-up, a significant decrease was observed in DAS28 scores and clinical activity disease index compared to the value at baseline values ( p p  > .05). Conclusions A substantial improvement was observed in patients with early RA treated during first year from onset symptoms. Continuous and periodic monitoring of the pathology is an indispensable tool for evaluating disease progress and making adjustments in the therapeutic management.