Early intervention in pre-rheumatoid arthritis reduces risk of rheumatoid arthritis

Early therapeutic intervention in people with pre-rheumatoid arthritis significantly reduces the risk of the occurrence of rheumatoid arthritis 52 weeks later, experts highlight at the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology.

There is growing interest in the concept of pre-rheumatoid arthritis, which is defined as undifferentiated arthritis or very early rheumatoid arthritis.

Data from 1,156 people was analysed (average age 46 years, 66% female, average symptom duration 16 weeks.

“Our review of the available clinical data supports the rationale for early treatment in these patients,” says lead author Dr Stephane Hilliquin. “In those studies where pre-rheumatoid arthritis patients received active treatment, there was a significant reduction in the risk of occurrence of rheumatoid arthritis at 52 weeks or more. Although there was no statistically significant difference in the absence of disease progression as seen on X-ray between those taking active treatments or placebo due to the disease being at such an early stage.

“The benefit / risk balance and feasibility of early aggressive treatment of pre-rheumatoid arthritis in clinical practice will still need further assessment.”

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