Characteristics and Treatment Responses of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients at Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic progressive autoimmune rheumatic disease that primarily affects the joints. The goal of RA treatment is to achieve remission or low disease activity, using a treat-to-target approach. This study aims to explore the characteristics of RA patients and evaluate their treatment responses in Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital (RSCM). Methods: This cross-sectional study is conducted by collecting demographic and clinical data, as well as interviewing adult patients that have been diagnosed with RA at the Rheumatology Clinic of RSCM and have been on disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD) treatment for a minimum of 6 months.Results: A total of 94 patients were included in this study. Subjects were predominantly female (93.6%) and had no formal jobs (64.9%). A majority of RA patients exhibited moderate disease activity (48.9%, based on Disease Activity Score-28 with erythrocyte sedimentation rate [DAS-28 ESR]), with a relatively high level of steroid use (86.2%). Notably, most patients started DMARD treatment more than 2 years after the onset of symptoms (45.7%). The proportion of patients achieving therapy target (remission to low disease activity) was 41.5%, with 13.8% attaining remission. Furthermore, Health Assessment Quality (HAQ) scores were found to be significantly lower among the target-achieving group, indicating better quality of life.Conclusion: Therapy target was achieved in 41.5% of RA patients in RSCM, with 13.8% achieving remission. Further research can be conducted to evaluate factors which may affect treatment response among RA patients.