Four clinical variables predict the development of RA in arthralgia

Topline:

In people with seropositive arthralgia, the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) increased in the presence of highly antibodies against citrulined peptide (ACPA) and immunoglobulin m-rheumatoid factor (IgM-RF), together with output factors, such as first-degree relative status, intermittent symptoms and morning stiffness.

METHODOLOGY:

• Scientists conducted a 5-year observation study to identify RA risk factors in endangered people.
• They reconciled 617 people with seropositive arthralgia (average age, 49.7 years; 74.4% of women) in 2004–2019 in the outpatient clinics of Rheumatology in Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Participants tested a positive result for ACPA (30.8%), IgM-RF (38.8%) or both (30.4%).
• Participants underwent assessments, including physical examinations, blood tests and collecting data on symptoms and risk factors, after 6 and 12 months in the first year, followed by annual grades for up to 5 years.
• The output factors of the prediction of RA development were identified.

Take out:

• In general, 33.7% of people developed arthritis, with an average time for arthritis of 19.6 months. Among them, 83.7% met the RA classification criteria.
• As relatives of first -class patients with RA (risk ratio (HR), 1.50), having intermittent symptoms (HR, 1.64) or morning stiffness for at least 1 hour (HR, 1.63), and swelling of the joints (HR, 1.51) were significantly associated with an increased risk of developing RA.
• In addition, having high levels of ACPA increased the risk of developing RA 4.65 times, while being positive for both ACPA and IgM-RF increased the risk by 6.8 times.
• The ruthless risk of developing RA reached 67.6%when at least four predictive variables were present at the beginning.

IN FACT:

“To sum up, our analysis identified four solid variables easily assessed in the clinic, which are significantly related to the development of RA. Identification of RA development predictors can help clinicists and scientists in choosing people who would most benefit from preventive strategies, as well as those who may require additional tests and observations, “the authors have eaten.

SOURCE:

The study was conducted by Giulia Frazzei, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, and the Netherlands. It was Published online February 15, 2025 in Annals of the rheumatic diseases.

Limitations:

Scientists have noticed that because “Kohort included only seropositive participants, it was not possible to assess the risk of arthritis in additional ACPA and/or IgM-RF-add-in-eye compared to those who have seronegative arthralgia.”

Disclosure:

This study was supported by a grant from the Dutch arthritis Association Association and the Research and Innovation Program at Horizon 2020 of the European Union under Grant Marie Skłodowska-Curie. Two authors reported receipt of subsidies and institutional fees from several pharmaceutical organizations.

This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before the publication.