Novel DNA microarray chip predicts functional impairment and remission in rheumatoid...( Paris France Friday 13 June 2008: A ...),Health

Paris, France, Friday 13 June 2008: A new DNA microarray chip can predict severe disability and remission in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as presented today at EULAR 2008, the Annual Congress of the European League Against Rheumatism in Paris, France. The chip (called the 'ARTchip') has yielded two clinical-genetic models of RA outcomes, to assist physicians in anticipating likely disease progression and prognosis and thereby guide decisions on the best course of treatment for individual patients.

The DNA microarray chip was developed as a tool to study 71 gene polymorphisms (tiny variations in the DNA that can cause or have a role in RA disease activity) in 45 genes chosen specifically for their presumed role in RA.

Dr Alejandro Balsa, of University Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain, who led the study, said: "Prognostic markers, identified through our microarray chip, can be used to predict disease outcomes in RA patients which may help healthcare professionals to choose the best treatment for each patient depending on their level of disease activity."

Predicting Severe Disability

6% and 8% of patients in the study and validation populations had a Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) score of 2 or more indicating severe disability due to RA. The results from the DNA array significantly improved the ability of clinical scores to predict functional impairment.

Results of the study showed that clinical scores in combination with the DNA array had a high level of accuracy when compared in the two independent populations (sensitivity (S): 41%, specificity (Sp): 95% and likelihood ratio (LR): 7.6 in the study group, and S: 21%, Sp: 95% and LR: 4.4 in the validation population).

Predicting Remission

Overall, 6% and 7% of patients in the study and validation groups, respectively fell into the disease remission category. The results from the clinical scores in combination with the DNA
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