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Multicenter Cross-sectional Study of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis in Greece: Results from a cohort of 2.491 patients.

Authors :
Thomas K
Lazarini A
Kaltsonoudis E
Drosos A
Papalopoulos I
Sidiropoulos P
Katsimbri P
Boumpas D
Tsatsani P
Gazi S
Fragkiadaki K
Tektonidou M
Sfikakis PP
Pantazi L
Boki KA
Grika EP
Vlachoyiannopoulos PG
Karagianni K
Sakkas LI
Dimitroulas T
Garyfallos A
Kassimos D
Evangelatos G
Iliopoulos A
Areti M
Georganas C
Melissaropoulos K
Georgiou P
Vounotrypidis P
Ntelis K
Mavragani CP
Bournazos I
Katsifis G
Mavrommatis C
Kitas GD
Vassilopoulos D
Source :
Mediterranean journal of rheumatology [Mediterr J Rheumatol] 2018 Mar 19; Vol. 29 (1), pp. 27-37. Date of Electronic Publication: 2018 Mar 19 (Print Publication: 2018).
Publication Year :
2018

Abstract

Aim of the Study: To evaluate the current disease characteristics, treatment and comorbidities of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Greece.<br />Methods: Multicenter, cross-sectional study with a 9-month recruitment period between 2015 and 2016. Demographics, disease characteristics, treatment and comorbidities were collected via a web-based platform.<br />Results: 2.491 RA patients were recruited: 96% from tertiary referral centers, 79% were females with a mean age of 63.1 years and disease duration of 9.9 years. Fifty-two percent were rheumatoid factor and/or anti-CCP positive, while 41% had erosive disease. Regarding treatment, 82% were on conventional synthetic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (csDMARDs), 42% on biologic DMARDs (TNFi: 22%, non-TNFi: 20%) and 40% on corticosteroids (mean daily dose: 5.2 mg). Despite therapy, 36% of patients had moderate and 12% high disease activity. The most frequent comorbidities were hypertension (42%), hyperlipidemia (33%), osteoporosis (29%), diabetes mellitus (15%) and depression (12%). Latent tuberculosis infection (positive tuberculin skin test or interferon gamma release assay) was diagnosed in 13 and 15.3% of patients, respectively. Regarding chronic viral infections, 6.2% had history of herpes zoster while 2% and 0.7% had chronic hepatitis B and C virus infection, respectively. A history of serious infection was documented in 9.6%. Only 36% and 52% of the participants had ever been vaccinated against pneumococcus and influenza virus, respectively.<br />Conclusion: This is one of the largest epidemiologic studies providing valuable data regarding the current RA characteristics in Greece. Half of patients were seropositive but despite therapy, half displayed residual disease activity, while preventive vaccination was limited.<br /> (© 2018 The Mediterranean Journal of Rheumatology (MJR).)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
2529-198X
Volume :
29
Issue :
1
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Mediterranean journal of rheumatology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
32185294
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.31138/mjr.29.1.27