scholarly journals EP14 Association between initial csDMARD strategy and disease activity at 6 months in patients with new onset rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 59 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Wood ◽  
Kimme Hyrich ◽  
Suzanne Verstappen ◽  
Douglas Steinke

Abstract Background Until 2018, NICE guidance recommended the use of a combination of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), including methotrexate (MTX), in the initial management of people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In 2018 the guideline was updated to recommend monotherapy with MTX due to uncertainties in the evidence for combination therapy. However, it remains a requirement for progression onto any biologic that the patient should have persistent high disease activity and/or have intolerance to, a minimum of two DMARDs. The aim of this study was to understand the association between initial treatment strategy and EULAR response at 6 months. Methods This analysis included patients recruited to the longitudinal observational Rheumatoid Arthritis Medication Study (RAMS) in the UK who were DMARD naïve and had symptoms for less than 1 year. Patients were defined as either starting MTX monotherapy or MTX in combination with another DMARD (6 weeks either side of MTX start date) and categorised into EULAR non responders or moderate/ good responders after 6 months. A logistic regression model was applied to test the association between initial treatment strategy and EULAR response at 6 months, adjusting for confounders. Results A total of 948 participants were included in the analysis. MTX monotherapy was prescribed in 72% (n = 678) of patients and combination therapy was prescribed in 28% (n = 270) of patients, the majority of whom received MTX plus hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) (n = 236, 87%). There was no significant difference between the MTX monotherapy and combination therapy groups in EULAR response at 6-months (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.77, 95% CI 0.53 to 1.14). Conclusion In this large UK observational study investigating the effect of treatment strategy within the first 6 weeks of presentation and treatment response at 6 months, there was no significant difference between combination DMARD therapy and MTX monotherapy on EULAR response. Most patients received MTX in combination with HCQ, for which little evidence exists. Disclosures S. Wood None. K. Hyrich Consultancies; ABBVIE. Grants/research support; BMS, PFIZER, UCB. S. Verstappen None. D. Steinke None.

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1396.1-1396
Author(s):  
F. Guimarães ◽  
D. Faria ◽  
S. Azevedo ◽  
J. Rodrigues ◽  
J. Silva ◽  
...  

Background:In refractory rheumatoid arthritis (RA), adding other classic synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (csDMARD) such as leflunomide (LFN) to methotrexate (MTX) is one suitable option [1,2]. Yet, there are safety issues to consider which may limit this strategy, but also regarding its true effectiveness in avoiding exposure to biological DMARDs (bDMARD) or target synthetic DMARDs (tsDMARD).Objectives:To assess the effectiveness and safety of adding LFN to MTX and to evaluate the predictors of drug retention, toxicity and inefficacy.Methods:A retrospective clinical record review of adult RA patients followed on our rheumatology department in whom LFN was added to MTX was done. Sociodemographic information, comorbidities, disease related information, adverse reactions and disease activity according to Disease Activity Score 28 – C reactive protein (DAS28) were recorded at baseline and after 3, 6 and 12 months of combination therapy (3_DAS28; 6_DAS28; 12_DAS28, respectively). Information regarding toxicity (need to dose adjustment/suspension) and inefficacy (add/switch to bDMARD/tsDMARD) were recorded. Follow-up was considered until last medical record available. SPSS was used for statistical analysis. Kaplan Meier and Cox-regression were used for univariate and multivariate analysis, respectively, significant level was 2-sidedp<.05.Results:In total, 77 patients were included, 66.20% females, with a mean age of 56±11 years old. There was a significant reduction of DAS28 only after 3 months of therapy (4.01±1.01 to 2.57±1.52,p=.003; ΔDAS28 = 1.58±1.17). However, during a median follow up time of 64 (IQR 39-83) months, 58.44% of patients needed to change treatment strategy, 66.67% due to toxicity (median time to toxicity 13 months, IQR 2-16) and 33.33% due to inefficacy (median time to inefficacy of 10 months, IQR 5.84-17.64). Gastrointestinal intolerance was the main reported toxicity (46.15%). In univariate analysis, anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) positivity, alcohol consumption, lack of comorbidities, hepatic toxicity, higher 6_DAS28, swollen joint count and tender joint count on the 6thmonth were associated to lower retention rates.In multivariate analysis, lack of comorbidities (HR=3.3, CI 95% 1.4-7.8,p=.006) and higher 6_DAS28 (HR=0.32, CI 95% 0.14-0.72,p=.006) were independent predictors of suspension of combination therapy. Moreover, both male gender (HR=2.87, 95%CI 1.2-6.56,p=.016) and positivity to ACPA (HR=0.1, 95%CI 0.01-0.73,p=.024) were independent predictors of toxicity. There was also higher tendency to toxicity, but without statistical significance, in alcohol consumers (p=.08). Regarding inefficacy, smoking habits (HR=0.15, 95%CI 0.04-0.52) and 3_DAS28 (HR=0.15, 95%CI 0.04-0.53) were independent predictors.Conclusion:Addition of LFN to MTX showed an early positive response. However, it was frequently associated to toxicity, and less than half of the patients continued with this therapeutic strategy after 5 years of follow up. Male gender, smoking habits and positivity to ACPA were predictors of worse outcome, as already reported in literature [1]. Lack of comorbidities was an independent predictor of suspension. This can be explained by the fact that physicians tend to adopt a more aggressive strategy on patients without comorbidities, switching earlier to bDMARDs/tsDMARDs.This study also showed that early response to combination therapy is an independent predictor on drug retention, suggesting that decisions on treatment strategy should be made early after the beginning of MTX/LFN.References:[1]Smolen JS, et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2020;0:1–15. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2019-216655[2]Kremer J, et al. J Rheumatol. 2004 Aug;31(8):1521-31. PMID: 15290730Disclosure of Interests:None declared


Author(s):  
Sahar A. Ahmed ◽  
Enas M. Darwish ◽  
Walaa A. Attya ◽  
Mai Samir ◽  
Mennatallah Elsayed ◽  
...  

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common progressive chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease which affects mostly small joints, causing pain, swelling, deformity, and disability. Although progress has been made in exploring RA nature, still there is a lot to know about the disease pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment. Aim of the Work: To investigate the role of serum anti-carbamylated protein antibodies and 14-3-3η in the diagnosis of RA compared to rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-CCP antibodies, and highfrequency musculoskeletal ultrasound used to assess the disease activity and joint damage. Methods: Serum anti-carbamylated protein antibodies and 14-3-3η were measured using ELISA in 61 RA patients and 26 normal controls. RA Disease Activity Score (DAS 28), X-ray and musculoskeletal ultrasound (hands and feet), carotid ultrasound (Intima-Media Thickness IMT) were used in assessing the RA disease. Results: Anti-carbamylated protein antibodies were significantly elevated in RA patients 4.5 (4.1- 8.9 U⁄ml) compared to the control 3.2(1.9- 4.3 U⁄ml) (p< 0.001) but 14-3-3η showed no significant difference. There was a significant positive correlation between anti-carbamylated protein antibodies, 14-3-3η levels and disease activity score assessed by DAS 28, increased IMT measured by carotid duplex, total synovitis and total erosion score were assessed by musculoskeletal ultrasound. There was no correlation between RF and anti-CCP antibodies. Anti-carbamylated protein antibodies were found to have 66.7% sensitivity and 85.2% specificity in RA diagnosis, while 14- 3-3η had 51.9% sensitivity and 72.1% specificity. Conclusion: Anti-carbamylated protein antibodies and 14-3-3η have a high sensitivity and specificity in RA diagnosis and had a correlation with the disease activity and joint damage.


2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1360.1-1360
Author(s):  
M. Jordhani ◽  
D. Ruci ◽  
F. Skana ◽  
E. Memlika

Background:The COVID-19 global pandemic has had a great impact on world population due to morbidity, mortality and restriction measures in order to stop the progression of COVID-19.Patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletic diseases, and especially rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, being one of the vulnerable classes of chronic patients, were recommended to follow the government’s rules1.Objectives:The aim of this study was to evaluate DAS-28-ESR in patients with rheumatoid arthritis before and after lockdown period.Methods:This is a multi-center observational study including 85 patients which were evaluated before and after lockdown for their disease activity score according to DAS-28-ESR score. They had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis more than 5 years ago. A thorough physical examination was performed before and after the lockdown period. It included examination of tender and swollen joints and patient’s global health. They were completed with all required laboratory data, including erythrosedimentation rate. For a more accurate calculation, DAS-28-ESR was used in an electronic version. Patients with other inflammatory or infective diseases were excluded from the study. All data were statistically evaluated using statistical tests such as t-student test.Results:The first group (the one before lockdown) had an average DAS-28-ESR of 4.7 while after the lockdown period, the average DAS-28-ESR was 5.16.After statistically evaluating all data, it was found that there exists a significant difference between DAS-28-ESR score before and after COVID-19 lockdown (p=0.0011).Conclusion:Our study showed that lockdown period due to COVID-19 pandemic, has aggravated disease activity in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis. This may be consequence of various causes such as physical inactivity and difficulty to follow-up or to take the medication properly.References:[1]Landewé RB, Machado PM, Kroon F, et al, EULAR provisional recommendations for the management of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases in the context of SARS-CoV-2, Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2020;79:851-858.Disclosure of Interests:None declared.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinod Solipuram ◽  
Akhila Mohan ◽  
Roshniben Patel ◽  
Ruoning Ni

Abstract Background Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease. The combination therapy of methotrexate (MTX) and Janus kinase inhibitor (JAKi) is commonly used. Patients with RA are at increased risk of malignancy, however, it remains unclear whether the combination therapy is associated with a higher risk. Objective To assess the malignancy risk among patients with RA receiving combination therapy of JAKi and MTX compared to MTX alone. Methods PubMed, Cochrane and Embase were thoroughly searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in patients with RA receiving JAKi and MTX, from inception to July 2020. Primary endpoints were malignancy events, Non melanomatous skin cancer (NMSC) and malignancy excluding NMSC and secondary endpoints were serious adverse events (SAE), deaths. Risk ratio (RR) and 95% CI were calculated using the Mantel–Haenszel random-effect method. Results 659 publications were screened and 13 RCTs with a total of 6911 patients were included in the analysis. There was no statistically significant difference in malignancy [RR = 1.42; 95% CI (0.59, 3.41)], neither NMSC [RR = 1.44 (0.36, 5.76)] nor malignancies excluding NMSC [RR = 1.12 (0.40, 3.13)]. No statistically significant difference between the two groups for SAE [RR = 1.15 (0.90, 1.47)] and deaths [RR = 1.99 (0.75, 5.27)] was found. Conclusion The adjunction of JAKi to MTX is not associated with an increased risk of malignancy when compared to MTX alone. There is no increased risk of SAE and deaths when compared to MTX alone in patients with RA.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 137.1-137
Author(s):  
M. Dey ◽  
S. S. Zhao ◽  
R. J. Moots ◽  
R. B. M. Landewé ◽  
N. Goodson

Background:Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with increased body mass index (BMI)- 60% of patients are either overweight or obese. Obesity in RA has been shown to predict reduced response to biologic therapy including tumour-necrosis-factor inhibitors (TNFi) [1]. However, it is not clear whether increased BMI influences response to all TNFi drugs in RA.Objectives:1.To explore whether BMI is associated with response to TNFi in patients with established rheumatoid arthritis (estRA), including those newly-starting on these drugs.Methods:Participants with estRA (>1year since diagnosis) taking biologic medications, registered on METEOR (international database of RA patients), 2008-2013, were included. EULAR response, DAS28 remission (including components), and treatment regimens were recorded at baseline, 6, and 12 months. WHO definitions of overweight (BMI≥ 25) and obese (BMI≥30) were explored as predictors of TNFi response (good EULAR response and DAS28 remission) using normal BMI as comparator. Logistic and linear regression models (controlling for age, gender, smoking, and baseline outcomes) and sensitivity analyses were performed. Subgroup analyses were performed for grouped TNFi and individual TNFi (infliximab, IFX; adalimumab, ADA; etanercept, ETN).Results:247 patients with estRA were taking a biologic at 6 months, and 231 patients were taking a biologic at 12 months. Obese patients taking any biologic were significantly less likely to achieve DAS28 remission (OR 0.33 [95%CI 0.12-0.80]) or good EULAR response (OR 0.37 [95%CI 0.16-0.81]) after 6 months, compared to those of normal BMI; this was also demonstrated in those co-prescribed methotrexate (DAS28 remission: OR 0.23 [95%CI 0.07-0.62]; good EULAR response: OR 0.39 [95%CI 0.15-0.92]). These associations did not remain statistically significant at the 12 months assessment.Regarding specific anti-TNF therapies, RA patients treated with monoclonal antibody (-mab) TNFis (IFX/ADA/ GOL) were significantly less likely to achieve good EULAR response at 6 months if they were obese RA (n=38), compared to those of normal weight (n=44) (OR 0.17 [95%CI 0.03-0.59]). A similar non-significant difference was demonstrated for DAS28 remission, and 12-month remission. Specifically, obese individuals were significantly less likely to achieve good EULAR response at 6 months with IFX (OR 0.09 [95%CI 0.00-0.61]; n=20), and significantly less likely to achieve DAS28 remission at 6 months when newly-starting ADA (OR 0.14 [95%CI 0.01-0.96]; n=17), compared to those of normal weight. There were no significant differences in remission outcomes between individuals of different BMI taking ETN. A small number of individuals stopped taking their respective biologic after 6months; reason for cessation was not recorded.Similar outcomes were seen in patients already established on anti-TNF therapy, with overweight and obese individuals less likely overall to be in DAS28 remission at all time points.Conclusion:In established RA, obesity is associated with reduced treatment response to -mab TNFi. No association between increased BMI and response to ETA was observed. Using BMI to direct biologic drug choice could prove to be a simple and cost-effective personalised-medicine approach to prescribing.References:[1]Schäfer M, Meißner Y, Kekow J, Berger S, Remstedt S, Manger B, et al. Obesity reduces the real-world effectiveness of cytokine-targeted but not cell-targeted disease-modifying agents in rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology. 2019 Nov 20.Disclosure of Interests:Mrinalini Dey: None declared, Sizheng Steven Zhao: None declared, Robert J Moots: None declared, Robert B.M. Landewé Consultant of: AbbVie; AstraZeneca; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Eli Lilly & Co.; Galapagos NV; Novartis; Pfizer; UCB Pharma, Nicola Goodson: None declared


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1848.2-1849
Author(s):  
M. A. Mortada ◽  
H. Eitta ◽  
R. Elmallah ◽  
A. Radwan ◽  
A. Elsaman

Background:Musculoskeletal Ultrasonography (MSUS) is now a widely used tool for monitoring of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although there are many proposed sets of composite scores, a fixed set of joints may not be an ideal tool to assess a disease like RA, which affects many joints and tendons in different presentations. In previous study (1) U9 score was proven to be correlated with disease activity parameters.Objectives:To determine whether US assessment using U9 score is useful for monitoring response to treatment for RA or not?Methods:A prospective, multicenter study were conducted in period from July 2019 to December 2019. All recruited RA patients were subjected to: Disease activity assessment by clinical disease activity indices (CDAI and DAS28 ESR). Functional status assessment by (HAQ) and ultrasonographic assessment using U9 score which include 8 joints (bilateral wrists,2ndMCP,3RDMCP and knees) plus most clinically affected joint or tendon (one joint or one tendon). Most clinically affected joints from 48 joints. Any affected tendons could be choosing. All targeted joints were evaluated according to EULAR guidlines and by EULAR/ OMERACT combined score (0-3). Targeted tendons were scored (0-3).All patients received their treatment (biologic and non biologic DMARDs) according to the decision of the treating physicians. No specific therapy is needed. CDAI and DAS28 ESR, HAQ and U9 score were repeated after 3 months to detect the response to change after receiving the therapy.Results:One hundred and forty patients (23.6% were male) with mean age 39.26±11.30 were recruited from 4 tertiary referral university hospitals.There was a significant difference (<0.001) between the first and second visits as regards clinical, laboratory and ultrasonographic parameters. DAS 28 decreased form (5.29±1.21) to (3.95±0.99), ESR decreased from (42.12±15.24) to (26.84±12.32), HAQ2 improved from (0.652±0.350) to (0.510±0.237) and U9 total US score decreased from (13.56±5.18) to (8.02±4.28).There was significant correlation between U9 ultrasonographic score and clinical parameters at both visits (table 1).Table 1.correlation between U9 ultrasonographic score and clinical parameters.U9 at 1stvisitU9 at 2ndvisitDAS-28Pearson Correlation(P value)0.806<0.0010.790<0.001CDAIPearson Correlation(P value)0.787<0.0010.773<0.001HAQPearson Correlation(P value)0.431<0.0010.317<0.001We found that the most suitable cut-off value of U9 score to predict high disease activity was 11.5 (sensitivity 85.7% and specificity 80.6%), cut off value for moderate disease activity was 5.5(sensitivity 83.2% and specificity 88%) and cut off value for low disease activity was 3.5 (sensitivity of 83.3% and specificity 57.1%). These results are summarized in the following table:Conclusion:U9 ultrasonographic score is very useful method for evaluating the monitoring the response of treatment.References:[1]Mortada, et al. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2019;78:1009.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1086.2-1087
Author(s):  
T. Okano ◽  
T. Koike ◽  
K. Inui ◽  
K. Mamoto ◽  
Y. Yamada ◽  
...  

Background:In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), biologics treatment is one of the effective treatment options. Usually, there is no difference in therapeutic effect regardless of which biologics is used, but the effect for joint synovitis is unknown. Recently, ultrasound (US) has played a role of sensitive imaging modality in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with RA.Objectives:The aim of this study was to compare the improvement of US findings between TNF inhibitors and non-TNF inhibitors at first biologics in patients with RA.Methods:Fifty-four RA patients who started the first biologics from September 2016 to December 2018 were included in this longitudinal study (SPEEDY study, UMIN000028260). All the patients were performed clinical examination, blood test and US examination at baseline, 4, 12, 24, 36 and 52 weeks. A US examination was performed at the bilateral first to fifth metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints, first interphalangeal (IP) and second to fifth proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints, wrist joints (three part of radial, medial and ulnar) and first to fifth metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints, by using HI VISION Ascendus (Hitachi Medical Corporation, Japan) with a multifrequency linear transducer (18-6 MHz). The gray scale (GS) and power Doppler (PD) findings were assessed by the semi-quantitative method (0-3). GS score and PD score (both 0-108 points) were defined as the sum of each score. The change of disease activity and US findings were compared between TNF group and non-TNF group.Results:Among 54 cases, 32 patients were used TNF inhibitor and 22 were non-TNF inhibitor. Age and duration of RA were significantly higher in the non-TNF group, and MTX dose was significantly lower in the non-TNF group. The baseline inflammatory markers tended to be higher in the non-TNF group and the disease activity was also higher in the non-TNF group. However, the US findings showed no significant difference in both GS and PD between two groups at baseline. US improvement ratio was no difference between TNF group and non-TNF group at 4, 12, 24, 36 and 52 weeks in both GS and PD score. Regardless of the type of biologics, patients with long-term disease duration tended to have poor improvement in US synovial fingings.Table 1.Baseline patient and disease characteristicsTNF (n=32)non-TNF (n=22)P valueFemale patients, n (%)21 (65.6)16 (72.7)0.767Age (years)63.5±15.471.0±9.00.030Disease duration (years)6.5±8.213.0±11.70.032CRP (mg/dl)1.8±2.53.0±3.20.170DAS28-ESR5.0±1.45.8±1.20.022GS score26.1±18.831.8±21.10.313PD score17.6±11.423.1±14.60.150Figure 1.GS and PD improvement ratio at 4, 12, 24, 36 and 52 weeksConclusion:There was no difference in the US findings improvement between patients with TNF inhibitor and non-TNF inhibitor at first biologics in patients with RA.References:[1]Grassi W, Okano T, Di Geso L, Filippucci E. Imaging in rheumatoid arthritis: options, uses and optimization. Expert Rev Clin Immunol. 2015;11:1131-46.[2]Nishino A, Kawashiri SY, Koga T, et al. Ultrasonographic Efficacy of Biologic andTargeted Synthetic Disease-ModifyingAntirheumatic Drug Therapy in RheumatoidArthritis From a Multicenter RheumatoidArthritis Ultrasound Prospective Cohort in Japan. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2018;70:1719-26.Acknowledgements:We wish to thank Atsuko Kamiyama, Tomoko Nakatsuka for clinical assistant, Setsuko Takeda, Emi Yamashita, Yuko Yoshida, Rika Morinaka, Hatsue Ueda and Tomomi Iwahashi for their special efforts as a sonographer and collecting data.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


2021 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eman A. Baraka ◽  
Mona G. Balata ◽  
Shereen H. Ahmed ◽  
Afaf F. Khamis ◽  
Enas A. Elattar

Abstract Background This study aimed to measure the serum and synovial interleukin (IL)-37 levels in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients compared to patients with primary knee osteoarthritis (PKOA) and healthy controls and to detect its relation to RA disease activity. Results This cross-sectional study included 50 RA patients with a mean age of 40.24 ± 8.62 years, 50 patients with PKOA with a mean age of 56.69 ± 4.21, and 40 healthy controls with a mean age of 41.75 ± 7.38 years. The mean serum IL-37 level in the RA patients (382.6 ± 73.97 pg/ml) was statistically significantly (P < 0.001) the highest among the studied groups; however, it showed a non-significant difference between the PKOA patients (70.38 ± 27.49 pg/ml) and the healthy controls (69.97 ± 25.12 pg/ml) (P > 0.94). Both serum and synovial IL-37 levels were significantly positively correlated with disease activity scores (r = 0.92, P< 0.001 and r = 0.85, P < 0.001), tender joint counts (r = 0.83, P < 0.001 and r = 0.82, P < 0.001 ), swollen joint counts (r = 0.72, P < 0.001 and r = 0.60, P < 0.001), visual analog scale (r = 0.82, P < 0.001 and r = 0.82, P < 0.001), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r = 0.75, P < 0.001 and r = 0.65, P < 0.001), and C-reactive protein (r = 0.93, P < 0.001 and r = 0.79, P < 0.001), respectively. Conclusion Serum and synovial IL-37 were significantly elevated in the RA patients, and they were closely correlated. Being less invasive, the serum IL-37 could be a marker of disease activity and could reflect the effective disease control by drugs. Having an anti-inflammatory effect could not suggest IL-37 as the key player to control inflammation alone, but its combination with other anti-proinflammatory cytokines could be investigated.


2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 112.1-112
Author(s):  
L. Brandt ◽  
H. Schulze-Koops ◽  
T. Hügle ◽  
M. J. Nissen ◽  
H. Paul ◽  
...  

Background:The therapeutic aim for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is to control disease activity and prevent radiographic progression. Various clinical scores are utilized to describe disease activity in RA patients. The DAS28 score can define states of low disease activity (LDA) and remission. Despite achieving LDA or remission, radiographic progression may nevertheless occur. However, the rates and frequency of this occurrence have not been analyzed in detail.Objectives:To describe the frequency and rate of radiographic progression in patients with persistent LDA or remission.Methods:Analysis of RA patients from the SCQM cohort. Persistent LDA or remission were defined as DAS 28 ≤3.2 or <2.6 respectively, at two subsequent follow up time points in the database. We included patients with at least two sets of radiographs within these intervals of LDA and/or remission. Radiographic progression was measured with the Ratingen-score (range 0-190), which describes joint erosions numerically. Repair was defined as an improvement in the Ratingen score >5 points/year and progression as >2 or >5 points change in the Ratingen score within one year.Results:Among 10’141 RA patients, 4’342 episodes of remission occurred in 3’927 patients with 1’776 sets of X rays available within these episodes. Similarly, 8’136 episodes of LDA in 6’765 patients and 2’358 sets of X rays were present within these intervals. For patients in LDA or remission, rates of repair were 5.5% and 4.8%, respectively, while for radiographic progression >5 points in the Ratingen score/year were 10.3% in both groups and for >2 points change of Ratingen score/year were 27.7 and 25.4%, respectively).No differences for demographic factors or measures of disease activity, rheumatoid factor or ACPA were found comparing patients with radiographic progression or non-progression despite LDA or remission at the beginning of the episode of LDA and/or remission.Interestingly, 42.9% of patients in LDA with progression of >5 points in the Ratingen score/year were current smokers vs 29.4% among the non-progressors (X2 = 6.55, p = 0.01). This significant difference vanished when the cut-off for radiographic progression was set at >2 points yearly change in Ratingen score or in patients in remission.Conclusion:Radiographic progression despite LDA or remission are more frequent than expected. No differences in radiographic progression were found comparing LDA and remission suggesting that the goal of LDA is appropriate. Smoking seems to be an independent risk factor for radiographic progression despite LDA. Why the effect of smoking could was not demonstrated in patients in remission, remains unclear.Disclosure of Interests:Lena Brandt: None declared, Hendrik Schulze-Koops: None declared, Thomas Hügle Consultant of: GSK, Abbvie, Pfizer, Jansen, Novartis, Eli Lilly., Michael J. Nissen Consultant of: Abbvie, Celgene, Eli-Lilly, Janssen, Novartis and Pfizer, Hasler paul Consultant of: Abbvie, Lilly, Rudiger Muller Consultant of: AbbVie, Novartis, Grant/research support from: Gebro


2021 ◽  
pp. jrheum.201135
Author(s):  
Sae Ochi ◽  
Fumitaka Mizoguchi ◽  
Kazuhisa Nakano ◽  
Yoshiya Tanaka

Objective Increasing numbers of patients are developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) at an older age, and optimal treatment of elderly-onset RA (EORA) patients is attracting greater attention. This study aimed to analyze the efficacy and safety of biological/targeted synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (b/tsDMARDs) in EORA and non-EORA elderly patients. Methods A cohort of RA patients treated with b/tsDMARDs were retrospectively analyzed. Among patients who were ≥60 years old, those who developed RA after age 60 years were categorized as EORA, while others were categorized as non-EORA elderly. Disease activity were compared between the EORA and non-EORA elderly groups. Results In total, 1,040 patients were categorized as EORA and 710 as non-EORA elderly. There were not significant differences in characteristics at baseline between the two groups. The proportion of patients with low and high disease activity was comparable at week 2, 22 and 54 between in the EORA and the non-EORA elderly group. There was not significant difference in reasons of the discontinuation of b/tsDMARDs between the two groups. Elderly onset did not affect changes in CDAI and HAQ-DI as well as reasons of the discontinuation between the two groups. The trajectory analysis on CDAI-responses to b/tsDMARDs for 54 weeks identified three response patterns. The proportions of patients categorized into each group and CDAI-response trajectories to b/tsDMARDs were very similar between EORA and non-EORA elderly patients. Conclusion CDAI response patterns to b/tsDMARDs and hazard ratio of adverse events were similar between EORA and non-EORA elderly patients.


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