Objective: We aimed to identify predictors of short- and long-term sustained remission in early rheumatoid arthritis (eRA) and very early rheumatoid arthritis (veRA), and to assess their relevance within the joint accumulation model paradigm. Methods: This retrospective real-world cohort study included adult Colombian RA patients. Based on symptom onset, patients were classified as eRA (≤12 months) or veRA (≤3 months). Sustained remission was defined using Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) thresholds maintained for ≥6 months (short-term) and ≥24 months (long-term). Predictors were identified using robust Poisson regression. Results: In eRA, short-term remission was more likely in antinuclear antibodies (ANA)-positive patients (risk ratio [RR]: 3.29, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 1.38~7.83) and less likely in those with higher baseline Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) (RR: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.29~0.78). Long-term remission was more frequent in males (RR: 2.67, 95% CI: 1.11~6.46) and in patients with lower baseline Simple Disease Activity Index (SDAI) (RR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.85~0.99). In veRA, short-term remission was negatively associated with anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) (RR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.58~0.93), swollen joint count (RR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.27~1.00), and patient global assessment (RR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.40~0.93). Long-term remission was associated with higher rheumatoid factor levels (RR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.20~2.56), lower tender joint counts (RR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.55~0.92), and slower joint accumulation rates (RR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.29~0.90). These findings were consistent among disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD)-naïve patients. Conclusion Distinct predictors of remission in eRA and veRA underscore the need for stage-specific treatment strategies. Our findings provide real-world evidence supporting the joint accumulation model and highlight the potential to optimize outcomes through tailored time-sensitive interventions.

Accurate measurement of fat mass has become increasingly important with the increasing incidence of obesity. We assessed fat and muscle mass of Koreans with the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey IV (KNHANES IV). We studied 10,456 subjects (aged 20 to 85 yr; 4,476 men, 5,980 women). Fat and muscle mass were measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Reference values of body compositions were obtained using the LMS method. The fat mass index (FMI, body fat mass/height2; kg/m2) of Korean men did not correlate with age (P = 0.452), but those of Korean women (P < 0.001) did. The ratio of percentage of fat in the trunk and legs was positively related with age in both the genders. The appendicular lean mass/height2 (kg/m2) of Korean men was negatively related to age (P < 0.001). In women, this ratio increased with age (P < 0.001). When we defined obesity according to the FMI classification, the rates of obesity were 6.1% (FMI > 9 kg/m2) in men and 2.7% (FMI > 13 kg/m2) in women. It is concluded that the muscle mass decreases and obesity increases with aging in Korean men, whereas both fat mass and obesity increase with aging in Korean women.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Adipose Tissue ; Age Factors ; *Body Composition ; *Body Fat Distribution ; *Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Nutrition Surveys ; *Obesity ; Republic of Korea