Patient-reported outcomes as assessment tools and predictors of long-term prognosis: a 7-year follow-up study of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Objective Whether the Boolean-based American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) criteria for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) including patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for remission are strict for use in daily clinical practice is controversial. This study aimed to clarify the differences in the remission status defined by the criteria, including and excluding PROMs, and to identify the baseline predictors of long-term prognosis using 7-year follow-up data. Method A total of 103 RA outpatients completed the baseline and 7-year follow-up questionnaire surveys. Pain visual analogue scale (VAS) of ≤ 1/10 was used as a PROM criterion for remission. Results Only 10 patients achieved full-remission, whereas 18 met the partial-remission criteria excluding PROM at baseline. Although 70.0% of those who achieved full remission at baseline had full or partial remission status, 77.8% of those with partial remission were categorized as having no remission at 7 years. Significant baseline differences in the remission status at 7 years were observed with regard to disease duration, pain VAS, and physical function (Short Form 36 [SF-36]). Stepwise logistic regression analysis adjusted for age and sex identified disease duration and general health perception (SF-36) as independent predictors of full-remission. Conclusion Remission criteria including PROMs are stringent but important to achieve sustained remission. Early intensive treatment and efforts to improve patients’ health perceptions may result in better prognosis for RA.