Clinical characteristics and social productivity levels of patients with malignant rheumatoid arthritis based on a nationwide clinical database in Japan: annual survey from 2003 to 2013

Malignant rheumatoid arthritis (MRA) is defined as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with systemic vasculitis or other severe extra-articular manifestations. Japan has a nationwide database for MRA. We analyzed the characteristics of Japanese patients with MRA based on data from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW).

We were permitted to use data on 43,108 patients who were registered in the MHLW database from 2003 to 2013.

Median age was 65 (interquartile range, 57–72) years. Patients consisted of 71% females. Proportions of patients who had or had experienced interstitial pneumonia and pleuritis were increased, episcleritis was stable, and other MRA manifestations were decreased over time. The number of positive symptoms per patient also decreased over time. The median dose of glucocorticoid, percentage of patients undergoing surgery, and use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and apheresis decreased year by year. Steinbrocker stage and class improved over time. Median C-reactive protein levels and erythrocyte sedimentation rate also decreased. Regarding social productivity levels of patients with MRA, the proportion of patients who were working or working from home increased and the proportion of patients recuperating or hospitalized decreased.

In patients with MRA, disease activity decreased and social productivity improved from 2003 to 2013.