Remission rates in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) between men and women varies based on the disease activity measure, with sex-specific differences in erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) resulting in lower rates of remission among women, a new study found. Researchers utilized data from the Veterans Affairs RA (VARA) registry and from 2 clinical trials. Remission and low disease activity (LDA) were defined using composite scores, individual items, and MRI. They found:

• Among 2,463 patients in VARA, women (10.2%) were less likely than men to be in DAS28-ESR remission in follow-up and had a longer time to sustained DAS28-ESR remission.
• Women were more likely to achieve favorable individual components except for an ESR <30 mm/hr.
• Among 353 trial participants (83.7% women), women had reduced rates of DAS28-ESR remission but similar rates of low MRI synovitis and osteitis.