J Rheum Dis 2014; 21(1): 20-24
Published online February 28, 2014
© Korean College of Rheumatology
Correspondence to : Bin Yoo
Objective. The aim of this study is to determine the clinical characteristics of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) sustaining high erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) de-spite clinical remission. Methods. This cross-sectional study involved 91 patients, who visited a tertiary medical center. Patients underwent labo-ratory tests and a physical examination by a rheumatologist. The disease activity score (DAS) was calculated and patients who were in remission (defined as DAS28-CRP <2.6) were selected. Patients were divided into two groups: those with high and low ESRs (≥40 and <40 mm/hr, respectively). Results. DAS 28-CRP scores revealed that 61 of the 91 pa-tients were in remission. Of these 61 patients, 15 and 46 were allocated to the high and low ESR groups, respectively. Compared to the low ESR group, the high ESR group had a longer disease duration (99.2±60.2 vs. 59.1±48.9 months), significantly higher white blood cell counts, and CRP levels, total modified Sharp radiographic joint scores, and erosion scores, as well as significantly lower hemoglobin, albumin and alanine aminotransferase levels.Conclusion. Patients who have high ESRs despite their re-mission status may show progressive radiographic change. In such patients, additional treatments that decreases the inflammation and prevents radiological progression should be considered.
Keywords Rheumatoid arthritis, Inflammation, Remission
J Rheum Dis 2014; 21(1): 20-24
Published online February 28, 2014
Copyright © Korean College of Rheumatology.
Bon San Koo, Seokchan Hong, You Jae Kim, Yong-Gil Kim, Chang-Keun Lee, Bin Yoo
Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
Correspondence to:Bin Yoo
Objective. The aim of this study is to determine the clinical characteristics of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) sustaining high erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) de-spite clinical remission. Methods. This cross-sectional study involved 91 patients, who visited a tertiary medical center. Patients underwent labo-ratory tests and a physical examination by a rheumatologist. The disease activity score (DAS) was calculated and patients who were in remission (defined as DAS28-CRP <2.6) were selected. Patients were divided into two groups: those with high and low ESRs (≥40 and <40 mm/hr, respectively). Results. DAS 28-CRP scores revealed that 61 of the 91 pa-tients were in remission. Of these 61 patients, 15 and 46 were allocated to the high and low ESR groups, respectively. Compared to the low ESR group, the high ESR group had a longer disease duration (99.2±60.2 vs. 59.1±48.9 months), significantly higher white blood cell counts, and CRP levels, total modified Sharp radiographic joint scores, and erosion scores, as well as significantly lower hemoglobin, albumin and alanine aminotransferase levels.Conclusion. Patients who have high ESRs despite their re-mission status may show progressive radiographic change. In such patients, additional treatments that decreases the inflammation and prevents radiological progression should be considered.
Keywords: Rheumatoid arthritis, Inflammation, Remission
Chang-Hoon Lee, Eun Young Choi
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