Definitions of remission for rheumatoid arthritis and review of selected clinical cohorts and randomised clinical trials for the rate of remission
Mäkinen, H.; Hannonen, P.; Sokka, T.
Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology 24(6 Suppl 43: S
2006
ISSN/ISBN: 0392-856X PMID: 17083758 Document Number: 600769
Various definitions of remission in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have been proposed. The ACR (American College of Rheumatology--formerly ARA, American Rheumatism Association) remission criteria are strict and include nonspecific symptoms such as fatigue. More recently remission according to the Disease Activity Index (DAS) and DAS28 has been described. However, patients who meet the DAS28 remission cut point of < 2.6 may nonetheless have tender and/or swollen joints. The ACR remission criteria are more rigorous than the requirement of DAS28 <2.6. Newer tools for evaluation of RA activity include the Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI) and Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI), and cut points for remission according to these new indices have been defined. However, all available remission criteria may ignore important aspects of RA, including physical function and radiographic damage.