Normalisation of physical function by infliximab in patients with RA: factors associated with normal physical function

摘要

OBJECTIVES: We conducted a two-year prospective study to identify possible factors associated with normalisation of physical function by infliximab treatment in 125 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: RA patients who had been scheduled to receive infliximab at 3 mg/kg were registered and prospectively examined for disease activity, joint damage, and physical function for 102 weeks using the Disease Activity Score of 28 Joints (DAS-28) using C-reactive protein, van der Heijde-modified Sharp score (vdH-Sharp score) of hand and foot x-ray, and Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI). Normal physical function and clinical remission were defined as a HAQ-DI of 0.5 or less, and DAS28 (CRP)