Changes in the incidence of amyloidosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis during the last 3 decades

Abstract

Background. For individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), amyloidosis—a serious condition caused by abnormal protein deposits in tissues—has been a concern. However, advancements in RA treatment over the past 30 years, including biologics and improved DMARDs, may have reduced its prevalence in this population. Objective. The purpose of this study is to examine the patterns in the occurrence of amyloidosis in rheumatoid arthritis patients over the past 30 years and evaluate the impact of changing treatment approaches. Material and methods. The systematic analysis of the specialized literature published between 1994-2024 was carried out using PubMed search engine and Research Gate network. Results. Over the course of three decades, the study found a significant decrease in the incidence of amyloidosis among people with RA. Between the 1990s and the 2010s, the incidence rate dropped from 3.2 per 1,000 person-years to 1.1 per 1,000 person-years. The earlier, more intensive treatment of RA and the rising usage of biologic DMARDs were highly connected with this reduction. Patients on biologic treatments had a 60% lower risk of developing amyloidosis than those on standard DMARDs alone, according to subgroup analysis. Conclusion. Over the past 30 years, there has been a notable decline in the prevalence of amyloidosis in people with rheumatoid arthritis. This decline has coincided with breakthroughs in the treatment of RA, most notably the advent and widespread use of biologic therapy. These results emphasize how crucial it is to treat RA aggressively and early in order to lower the likelihood of major side effects like amyloidosis. To maintain and expand on this encouraging trend, future research should concentrate on ongoing surveillance and therapeutic strategy optimization.