Chinese registry of rheumatoid arthritis (CREDIT): I. Introduction and prevalence of remission in Chinese patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To introduce the Chinese Registry of rhEumatoiD arthrITis (CREDIT), which is the first nationwide, multicentre, online rheumatoid arthritis (RA) registry in China, and to depict major cross-sectional data and treatment strategies of Chinese RA patients. METHODS: RA patients who fulfilled the 2010 ACR/EULAR classification criteria for rheumatoid arthritis were recruited into the registry by their rheumatologists from 144 clinical centres in China. Data, including demographics, disease characteristics, co-morbidities, treatment, and adverse reactions, were collected and documented through the predefined protocol. RESULTS: 8071 registered patients (FM = 4.031) were registered up to May 2017. Mean age at symptom onset and at diagnosis was 46.15±14.72y and 48.68±14.54y, respectively. Point prevalence of remission (95% CIs) was 14.88% (14.10-15.66%), 4.23% (3.79-4.66%), 4.25% (3.81-4.69%), and 4.27% (3.83-4.72%) according to DAS28-CRP, CDAI, SDAI, and the 2011 ACR/EULAR remission criteria, respectively. 38.84% and 38.11% of treatment-naïve patients (n=3262) were in moderate (3.25.1) disease activity, respectively. Among treatment-naïve patients, those who were initiated on treatment with bDMARDs had higher disease activity than those who were treated with csDMARDs (p<0.05). Three months after initiating bDMARDs, 19.29% (n=38) of patients achieved remission (DAS28-CRP<2.6).

CONCLUSIONS:

The CREDIT registry is an effective tool for real-world study of RA patients in China. By providing information for diagnosis and treatment regimen, the CREDIT registry can enhance the application of treat-to-target (T2T) strategy and improve patient outcomes in China.