Characteristics and Treatment Responses of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients at Dr.Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital

Abstract

Introduction. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic progressive
autoimmune rheumatic disease that primarily affects the joints. The goal of
RA treatment is to achieve remission or low disease activity, using a treatto-target

approach. This study aims to explore the characteristics of RA
patients and evaluate their treatment responses in Dr. Cipto
Mangunkusumo National General Hospital (RSCM). Methods. This crosssectional
study
is
conducted
by
collecting
demographic
and
clinical
data,
as

well
as
interviewing
adult
patients
that
have
been
diagnosed
with
RA
at
the

Rheumatology

Clinic of RSCM and have been on disease-modifying
antirheumatic drugs (DMARD) treatment for a minimum of 6 months.
Results. A total of 94 patients were included in this study. Subjects were
predominantly female (93.6%) and had no formal jobs (64.9%). A majority of
RA patients exhibited moderate disease activity (48.9%, based on Disease
Activity Score-28 with erythrocyte sedimentation rate [DAS-28 ESR]), with a
relatively high level of steroid use (86.2%). Notably, most patients started
DMARD treatment more than 2 years after the onset of symptoms (45.7%).
The proportion of patients achieving therapy target (remission to low disease
activity) was 41.5%, with 13.8% attaining remission. Furthermore, Health
Assessment Quality (HAQ) scores were found to be significantly lower among
the target-achieving group, indicating better quality of life. Conclusion.
Therapy target was achieved in 41.5% of RA patients in RSCM, with 13.8%
achieving remission. Further research can be conducted to evaluate factors
which may affect treatment response among RA patients.