Definition and prevalence of residual disease in inflammatory arthritis: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis.
Semin Arthritis RheumJul 14, 2026 (epub)
Clinical ResearchRheumatology
Casper Webers, Marius L Smits, Ellen Renet et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the definitions and prevalence of residual disease in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). It found that 5-25% of patients in remission still exhibited swollen joints, with up to one-third reporting significant pain or fatigue. The study analyzed data from 84 studies.
Key findings
- 5-25% of RA and PsA patients in remission had swollen joints.
- Up to one-third of patients reported relevant pain or fatigue.
- Residual disease definitions varied widely across studies, primarily based on disease activity.
- Physician-reported and patient-reported indicators were more common than laboratory indicators.
Why it matters
Understanding the prevalence and definition of residual disease is crucial for clinicians to recognize ongoing symptoms in patients who appear to be in remission, potentially guiding more effective management strategies.