CAN SDAI REMISSION BE PREDICTED IN PATIENTS WITH ESTABLISHED RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS TREATED WITH ANTI-TNF AGENTS?

Objective. To identify predictors for Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI) remission in established rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to develop a predictive score for remission. Methods. Prospective 12-month observational study in ninety active RA receiving their first TNF-α inhibitor. Standard assessments consisted of disease activity scores (DAS28-ESR, SDAI) and immune parameters (total rheumatoid factor, RF; IGA-RF; anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies, ACPA). The primary outcome measure was SDAI remission (≤ 3.3) at 12 months. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate association between baseline variables and SDAI remission. Results. 39.7% RA achieved remission, while 56.8% low disease activity. Significant association between SDAI remission and RA-onset before 50 (p = 0.000), history 0.05). Conclusion. SDAI remission can be predicted in established RA using a score based on age at onset, disease duration, titers of ACPA and RF isotype A. Such a simplified score may help clinicians to manage remission in RA patients according to the current treatment guidelines.