AB0172 ELDERLY ONSET RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (EORA): WHAT TO EXPECT IN REAL LIFE
Authors: I. Coman, I. Elisei, V. Bojinca, D. Mazilu, S. Daia, I. Saulescu, C. L. Constantinescu, M. Abobului, A. Borangiu, M. M. Negru, C. Cobilinschi, M. Duna, D. Predeteanu, D. Opris-Belinski, L. Groseanu, F. Berghea, A. Balanescu, R. Ionescu
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2021)

Background: The term elderly onset of rheumatoid arthritis (EORA) refers to patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) onset after the age of 60. Data published in the literature suggest a special clinical pattern and different prognostic factors in this class of patients. Objectives: To analyze prospectively a cohort of patients diagnosed with EORA, their disease particularities, comorbidities and treatment. Methods: This cohort included consecutive EORA patients, diagnosed and treated in “Sfanta Maria” Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania. The study was conducted for 2 years. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data was obtained. Disease activity was assessed using Disease Activity Score of 28 joints with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR). The patients were monitored using disease activity, treatment schedule modifications and possible adverse reactions. Results: The cohort included 110 patients (88 females, 22 males). Their mean age at the beginning of disease manifestations was 70.14 years and the mean age at the diagnosis was 70.85 years. There was no statistical difference regarding the patient’s residential area (urban/rural) and the period between the appearance of clinical signs and the moment of diagnosis confirmation. A great proportion of patients (77 patients, 70%) had seropositive RA, ACPA being found in 84% of the patients with seropositive RA. The mean DAS28-ESR at the diagnosis was 4.44(±1.54). A proportion of 40% of the patients had moderate disease activity, 35 patients (32.73%) - high disease activity, 11 patients (10%) - low disease activity and unexpectedly there were 19 patients (17.27%) in remission at the moment of RA diagnosis. Joint distribution was analyzed: 61.82% patients had large joint involvement, 91.82% - small joint involvement and 53.64 % had mixed joint pattern involvement. A negative significant correlation was found between the small joint involvement pattern and the body mass index (BMI) (p=0.028, R=-0.21). The mean BMI at the diagnosis was 25.81±5.358. Ninety five patients (86,36%) had at least one cardiovascular comorbidity. Hypertension was found in 70% of the patients. Only 4.55% of the patients had rheumatoid nodules and a similar proportion (4.55) had Sjogren syndrome associated. Pulmonary fibrosis was found in only 2 patients. At the moment of diagnosis 50% of patients had anemia, 36.36% had osteoporosis, 25.46% of the patients - hepatic disease, 11.82% - chronic kidney failure and 6.36% were found with a neoplasia. The main conventional synthetic disease modifying drug (csDMARD) that was recommended was methotrexate (81.8%). The second most used csDMARD was hydroxichroloquine (42 patients, 38,18%). The proportion of patients with monotherapy (50%) was similar to that with csDMARD combination (49.09%). During the follow up period only 8 patients (7.27%) had biologic therapy (4 patients - an anti TNF drug). Non steroid anti-inflammatory drugs were used in 46.63%. Cortisone therapy was used for more than 3 months in 80% of the patients. In patients with biologic therapy chronic glucocorticoids were stopped. At least one infection was documented in 20.91% of patients: 2 patients out of 6 patients (33.33%) with biologic DMARD, 14.81% of the patients with csDMARD combination and 21.81% of the patients with csDMARD monotherapy. csDMARD therapy was well tolerated with only 23.63% adverse reactions. Conclusion: Compared to the data published in the literature, in our cohort the rate female:male was higher (4:1). A distinct feature was the high proportion of patients with seropositive RA. The joint pattern seems to be influenced by BMI: small joint pattern is less found in patients with higher BMI. As expected, the patients with EORA had multiple cardiovascular comorbidities. Arterial hypertension was the most frequent. Caution is needed in choosing treatment regarding comorbidities and the risk of infection in these patients. References: [1]Villa-Blanco JI, Calvo-Alén J. Elderly onset rheumatoid arthritis: differential diagnosis and choice of first-line and subsequent therapy. Drugs Aging. 2009;26(9):739-50. Disclosure of Interests: None declared