The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate whether there are differences in the early treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) depending on the age of the patient at diagnosis.
The electronic records of 127 newly diagnosed RA patients presenting to the Counties Manukau District Health Board Rheumatology outpatient clinic between January 2008 and December 2010 were reviewed. Demographics, disease severity, relevant investigations, and medication use were analysed using Pearson's Chi squared test, Fisher's exact test and t-test.
The cohort included 32 aged greater than or equal to 60 years with Late Onset RA (LORA) and 95 aged <60 years with Young Onset RA (YORA). No significant differences in baseline disease severity, disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug or prednisone use rates were observed between the LORA and YORA groups, with methotrexate use rates of 26/32 (81.25%) and 74/95 (77.89%) respectively. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) rate was significantly lower (p=0.013) in the LORA group 14/32 (43.75%) compared to the YORA group 65/95 (68.42%), reflecting an awareness of the adverse effects of these drugs in an older population.
Patients with new onset rheumatoid arthritis at our institution received similar disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug treatment irrespective of their age.