New Criteria for RA Remission

Commenting on whether the new criteria will have any effect on insurance coverage in the U.S., either now or following full implementation of healthcare reform, Dr. Felson says he does not know and does not want to speculate.

Under the new criteria, up to 20% of patients in clinical trials and clinical practice are achieving remission, says Dr. Smolen. However, 30–50% of patients seen by rheumatologists have moderate to high disease activity. For these patients, especially, the new criteria provide an important goal—and the means of mapping the pathway to achieving it.

David Holzman is a freelance journalist based in Massachusetts.

Reference

1. Felson DT, Smolen JS, Wells G, et al. American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism provisional definition of remission in rheumatoid arthritis for clinical trials. Arthritis Rheum. 2011; 63: 573-586.