Rheumatoid arthritis is more likely to go into remission in men

A recent Swedish study followed a group of 698 people with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to see whose disease would go into remission. For their evaluations, the researchers used the concepts of “point” remission (at one point in time the person was mostly symptom-free) and “period” remission (mostly symptom-free for an extended time). Point remission was determined at follow-up visits after 18, 24, and 60 months. Period remission reflected symptom remission for 2 or more consecutive visits. At 2 years, RA was in remission in 38% of all the participants. The point remission rate was 32% for women versus 48% for men. After 5 years, it was 31% for women versus 52% for men. The period remission rate for the 2- to 5-year follow-up was 19% for women and 39% for men. In general, the women had a tougher time with their disease than the men did.