Study: Hospitalization Rates for Complications of Rheumatoid Arthritis Decline

A decline over the past two decades in the hospitalization rates for three severe complications related to rheumatoid arthritis shows that the long-term outcome for such patients is improving.

The findings were presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in Orlando, FL.

Speaking at news conference October 26, researcher Dr. Michael Ward of the National Institutes of Health said his study examined the rates of hospitalization in California from 1983 through 2001 of four complications related to rheumatoid arthritis.

Ward specifically looked at the complications of vasculitis or inflammation of the blood vessels, removal of the spleen in patients with Felty's syndrome, cervical spine surgery in patients with diseased spines and total knee replacement surgery.

Over the 19-year study period, Ward said the hospital rate for vasculitis dropped by 30 percent and the hospitalization rate for spleen removal dropped by 70 percent. However, he noted that no significant decreases in hospitalizations for cervical spine surgery or total knee replacement.

But when Ward looked at only first-time knee replacements taking place from 1990 to 2001, he found that the hospitalization rates decreased 10 percent, with a reversal in recent years of the trend toward increased knee replacements.

"We conclude and are somewhat optimistic that these findings support the belief that long-term outcomes in people with rheumatoid arthritis are improving," said Ward.

Ward added that study's findings largely predate the widespread use of biological agents in treating rheumatoid arthritis.

"This is not a biologic effect, but an effect of using disease-modifying drugs earlier and more consistently." Ward said. "We certainly hope that with better treatment, these improvements will be accelerated.

The American College of Rheumatology