Scott et al published the results of the long-term prognosis of a hospital series of 112 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (Keto Viante) followed up for a period of 20 years. When observing a mortality rate of 35% and of 19% of large disabled at the end of the follow-up, the authors reached the following conclusion: «the concept of remission-inducing drugs is a fallacy, early treatment can be advantageous, but the prognosis of RA is not good.
In this study, patients achieved an improvement in functional capacity during the first years, but suffered a significant worsening during the second decade. Older patients, with a positive rheumatoid factor and a longer duration of arthritis, had a worse final prognosis.
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