scholarly journals Influenza outcomes in patients with inflammatory joint diseases and DMARDs: how do they compare to those of COVID-19?

2021 ◽  
pp. annrheumdis-2021-221461
Author(s):  
Hannah Bower ◽  
Thomas Frisell ◽  
Daniela Di Giuseppe ◽  
Bénédicte Delcoigne ◽  
Johan Askling
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Seasonal Influenza ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Joint Diseases ◽  
Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs ◽  
Antirheumatic Drugs ◽  
Inflammatory Joint Diseases ◽  
Relative Risks ◽  
Synthetic Dmards ◽  
Disease Modifying

ObjectivesTo estimate absolute and relative risks for seasonal influenza outcomes in patients with inflammatory joint diseases (IJDs) and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). To contextualise recent findings on corresponding COVID-19 risks.MethodsUsing Swedish nationwide registers for this cohort study, we followed 116 989 patients with IJD and matched population comparators across four influenza seasons (2015–2019). We quantified absolute risks of hospitalisation and death due to influenza, and compared IJD to comparators via Cox regression. We identified 71 556 patients with IJD on active treatment with conventional synthetic DMARDs and biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs)/targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (tsDMARDs) at the start of each influenza season, estimated risks for the same outcomes and compared these risks across DMARDs via Cox regression.ResultsPer season, average risks for hospitalisation listing influenza were 0.25% in IJD and 0.1% in the general population, corresponding to a crude HR of 2.38 (95% CI 2.21 to 2.56) that decreased to 1.44 (95% CI 1.33 to 1.56) following adjustments for comorbidities. For death listing influenza, the corresponding numbers were 0.015% and 0.006% (HR=2.63, 95% CI 1.93 to 3.58, and HR=1.46, 95% CI 1.07 to 2.01). Absolute risks for influenza outcomes were half (hospitalisation) and one-tenth (death) of those for COVID-19, but relative estimates comparing IJD to the general population were similar.ConclusionsIn absolute terms, COVID-19 in IJD outnumbers that of average seasonal influenza, but IJD entails a 50%–100% increase in risk for hospitalisation and death for both types of infections, which is largely dependent on associated comorbidities. Overall, bDMARDs/tsDMARDs do not seem to confer additional risk for hospitalisation or death related to seasonal influenza.

scholarly journals Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with inflammatory joint diseases in Sweden: from infection severity to impact on care provision

RMD Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. e001987
Author(s):  
Hannah Bower ◽  
Thomas Frisell ◽  
Daniela di Giuseppe ◽  
Bénédicte Delcoigne ◽  
Gerd-Marfie Ahlenius ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Joint Diseases ◽  
Care Provision ◽  
Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs ◽  
Antirheumatic Drugs ◽  
Inflammatory Joint Diseases ◽  
Relative Risks ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Related Hospitalisation ◽  
Cohort Study Design ◽  
Disease Modifying

ObjectivesTo compare risks for COVID-19-related outcomes in inflammatory joint diseases (IJDs) and across disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) during the first two waves of the pandemic and to assess effects of the pandemic on rheumatology care provision.MethodsThrough nationwide multiregister linkages and cohort study design, we defined IJD and DMARD use annually in 2015–2020. We assessed absolute and relative risks of hospitalisation or death listing COVID-19. We also assessed the incidence of IJD and among individuals with IJD, rheumatologist visits, DMARD use and incidence of selected comorbidities.ResultsBased on 115 317 patients with IJD in 2020, crude risks of hospitalisation and death listing COVID-19 (0.94% and 0.33% across both waves, respectively) were similar during both waves (adjusted HR versus the general population 1.33, 95% CI 1.23 to 1.43, for hospitalisation listing COVID-19; 1.23, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.40 for death listing COVID-19). Overall, biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs)/targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (tsDMARDs) did not increase risks of COVID-19 related hospitalisation (with the exception of a potential signal for JAK inhibitors) or death. During the pandemic, decreases were observed for IJD incidence (−7%), visits to rheumatology units (−16%), DMARD dispensations (+6.5% for bDMARD/tsDMARDs and −8.5% for conventional synthetic DMARDs compared with previous years) and for new comorbid conditions, but several of these changes were part of underlying secular trends.ConclusionsPatients with IJD are at increased risk of serious COVID-19 outcomes, which may partially be explained by medical conditions other than IJD per se. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has exerted measurable effects on aspects of rheumatology care provision demonstrated, the future impact of which will need to be assessed.

scholarly journals Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on morbidity and mortality in patients with inflammatory joint diseases and in the general population: a nationwide Swedish cohort study

2021 ◽  
pp. annrheumdis-2021-219845
Author(s):  
Hannah Bower ◽  
Thomas Frisell ◽  
Daniela Di Giuseppe ◽  
Bénédicte Delcoigne ◽  
Gerd-Marie Ahlenius ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
General Population ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Joint Diseases ◽  
Antirheumatic Drugs ◽  
Inflammatory Joint Diseases ◽  
Relative Risks ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
All Cause Mortality ◽  
Swedish Cohort

ObjectivesTo estimate absolute and relative risks for all-cause mortality and for severe COVID-19 in inflammatory joint diseases (IJDs) and with antirheumatic therapies.MethodsThrough Swedish nationwide multiregister linkages, we selected all adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA, n=53 455 in March 2020), other IJDs (here: spondyloarthropathies, psoriatic arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis, n=57 112), their antirheumatic drug use, and individually matched population referents. We compared annual all-cause mortality March–September 2015 through 2020 within and across cohorts, and assessed absolute and relative risks for hospitalisation, admission to intensive care and death due to COVID-19 March–September 2020, using Cox regression.ResultsDuring March–September 2020, the absolute all-cause mortality in RA and in other IJDs was higher than 2015–2019, but relative risks versus the general population (around 2 and 1.5) remained similar during 2020 compared with 2015–2019. Among patients with IJD, the risks of hospitalisation (0.5% vs 0.3% in their population referents), admission to intensive care (0.04% vs 0.03%) and death (0.10% vs 0.07%) due to COVID-19 were low. Antirheumatic drugs were not associated with increased risk of serious COVID-19 outcomes, although for certain drugs, precision was limited.ConclusionsRisks of severe COVID-19-related outcomes were increased among patients with IJDs, but risk increases were also seen for non-COVID-19 morbidity. Overall absolute and excess risks are low and the level of risk increases are largely proportionate to those in the general population, and explained by comorbidities. With possible exceptions, antirheumatic drugs do not have a major impact on these risks.

scholarly journals Safety of vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 in people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases: results from the EULAR Coronavirus Vaccine (COVAX) physician-reported registry

2021 ◽  
pp. annrheumdis-2021-221490
Author(s):  
Pedro M Machado ◽  
Saskia Lawson-Tovey ◽  
Anja Strangfeld ◽  
Elsa F Mateus ◽  
Kimme L Hyrich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Musculoskeletal Diseases ◽  
Connective Tissue Diseases ◽  
Vaccine Safety ◽  
Joint Diseases ◽  
Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs ◽  
Antirheumatic Drugs ◽  
Biological Dmards ◽  
Inflammatory Joint Diseases ◽  
Disease Modifying ◽  
Medication Changes

ObjectivesTo describe the safety of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 in people with inflammatory/autoimmune rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease (I-RMD).MethodsPhysician-reported registry of I-RMD and non-inflammatory RMD (NI-RMDs) patients vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. From 5 February 2021 to 27 July 2021, we collected data on demographics, vaccination, RMD diagnosis, disease activity, immunomodulatory/immunosuppressive treatments, flares, adverse events (AEs) and SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infections. Data were analysed descriptively.ResultsThe study included 5121 participants from 30 countries, 90% with I-RMDs (n=4604, 68% female, mean age 60.5 years) and 10% with NI-RMDs (n=517, 77% female, mean age 71.4). Inflammatory joint diseases (58%), connective tissue diseases (18%) and vasculitis (12%) were the most frequent diagnostic groups; 54% received conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), 42% biological DMARDs and 35% immunosuppressants. Most patients received the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine (70%), 17% AstraZeneca/Oxford and 8% Moderna. In fully vaccinated cases, breakthrough infections were reported in 0.7% of I-RMD patients and 1.1% of NI-RMD patients. I-RMD flares were reported in 4.4% of cases (0.6% severe), 1.5% resulting in medication changes. AEs were reported in 37% of cases (37% I-RMD, 40% NI-RMD), serious AEs in 0.5% (0.4% I-RMD, 1.9% NI-RMD).ConclusionThe safety profiles of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in patients with I-RMD was reassuring and comparable with patients with NI-RMDs. The majority of patients tolerated their vaccination well with rare reports of I-RMD flare and very rare reports of serious AEs. These findings should provide reassurance to rheumatologists and vaccine recipients and promote confidence in SARS-CoV-2 vaccine safety in I-RMD patients.

scholarly journals Rheumatoid arthritis: problems of treatment at the present stage

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 65-70
Author(s):  
N. V. Chichasova
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Biologic Agents ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Treat To Target ◽  
Present Stage ◽  
Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs ◽  
Antirheumatic Drugs ◽  
Synthetic Dmards ◽  
Disease Modifying ◽  
Set Up

The possibilities of rheumatoid arthritis therapy have been significantly expanded today. In addition to conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs), biologic agents (BAs), and a targeted synthetic DMARD, a control treatment strategy has been put into practice.The paper demonstrates successes in the early prescription of csDMARD and the implementation of treat-to-target principles – to achieve the goal after 6 months in 50% of patients receiving subcutaneous methotrexate and 45% of those using a Leflunomide generic. During this therapy, there is a lower need for BAs and targeted synthetic DMARDs. The priority problem is to train general practitioners in methods for the early detection of RA and to set up schools for these patients.

Periodontitis Severity Affects the Clinical Response to Biological Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A 1-Year Follow-up Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tetsuo Kobayashi ◽  
Satoshi Ito ◽  
Akira Murasawa ◽  
Hajime Ishikawa ◽  
Koichi Tabeta
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Clinical Response ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Disease Activity Index ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs ◽  
Antirheumatic Drugs ◽  
Case Definitions ◽  
Synthetic Dmards ◽  
Disease Modifying

ABSTRACT Objectives To assess whether periodontitis severity affects the clinical response to biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) for 1 year in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Methods Data were collected from 50 RA patients who had received corticosteroids, conventional synthetic DMARDs, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs before (baseline) and after 1 year of bDMARD therapy in a retrospective study. Rheumatologic conditions were compared between the two periodontitis severity groups according to the periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) or Centers for Disease Control Prevention (CDC)/ American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) case definitions Results Twenty-eight patients with no or mild periodontitis showed significantly greater decreases in changes in Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) and tender and swollen joint count in comparison to 22 patients with moderate and severe periodontitis (p = 0.02, p = 0.01, and p = 0.03). Both bivariate and multivariate analyses revealed a significantly positive association between the baseline CDC/AAP definitions and CDAI changes (p = 0.005 and p = 0.0038). However, rheumatologic conditions were comparable between 25 patients each in the low and high PISA groups. Conclusions Baseline periodontitis severity according to the CDC/AAP definitions is associated with the clinical response to bDMARDs for 1 year in RA patients.

scholarly journals Efficacy of glucocorticoids, conventional and targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs: a systematic literature review informing the 2016 update of the EULAR recommendations for the management of rheumatoid arthritis

2017 ◽  
Vol 76 (6) ◽  
pp. 1102-1107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katerina Chatzidionysiou ◽  
Sharzad Emamikia ◽  
Jackie Nam ◽  
Sofia Ramiro ◽  
Josef Smolen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Systematic Literature Review ◽  
Treat To Target ◽  
Tight Control ◽  
Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs ◽  
Antirheumatic Drugs ◽  
Eular Recommendations ◽  
Synthetic Dmards ◽  
Disease Modifying

ObjectivesTo perform a systematic literature review (SLR) informing the 2016 update of the recommendations for the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MethodsAn SLR for the period between 2013 and 2016 was undertaken to assess the efficacy of glucocorticoids (GCs), conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) and targeted synthetic DMARDs (tsDMARDs) (tofacitinib and baricitinib) in randomised clinical trials.ResultsFor GCs, four studies were included in the SLR. Patients without poor prognostic factors experienced benefit when GCs were added to methotrexate (MTX). Lower doses of GCs were similar to higher doses. For csDMARDs, two new studies comparing MTX monotherapy with combination csDMARD were included in the SLR. In the tREACH trial at the end of 12 months no difference between the groups in disease activity, functional ability and radiographic progression was seen, using principles of tight control (treat-to-target). In the CareRA trial, combination therapy with csDMARDs was not superior to MTX monotherapy and monotherapy was better tolerated.For tsDMARDs, tofacitinib and baricitinib were shown to be more effective than placebo (MTX) in different patient populations.ConclusionsAddition of GCs to csDMARD therapy may be beneficial but the benefits should be balanced against the risk of toxicity. Under tight control conditions MTX monotherapy is not less effective than combination csDMARDs, but better tolerated. Tofacitinib and baricitinib are efficacious in patients with RA, including those with refractory disease.

scholarly journals The effect of comedication with conventional synthetic disease modifying antirheumatic drugs on TNF inhibitor drug survival in patients with ankylosing spondylitis and undifferentiated spondyloarthritis: results from a nationwide prospective study

2015 ◽  
Vol 74 (6) ◽  
pp. 970-978 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabeth Lie ◽  
Lars Erik Kristensen ◽  
Helena Forsblad-d'Elia ◽  
Tatiana Zverkova-Sandström ◽  
Johan Askling ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ankylosing Spondylitis ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Time Dependent ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Tnf Inhibitor ◽  
Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs ◽  
Antirheumatic Drugs ◽  
Drug Survival ◽  
Undifferentiated Spondyloarthritis ◽  
Disease Modifying

ObjectiveTo assess the effect of comedication with conventional synthetic disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) on retention to tumour necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) therapy in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and undifferentiated spondyloarthritis (uSpA).MethodsData on patients with a clinical diagnosis of AS or uSpA starting treatment with adalimumab, etanercept or infliximab as their first TNFi during 2003–2010 were retrieved from the Swedish national biologics register and linked to national population based registers. Five-year drug survival was analysed by Cox regression with age, sex, baseline csDMARD comedication, TNFi type, prescription year and covariates representing frailty and socioeconomic status. AS and uSpA were analysed separately. Sensitivity analyses included models with csDMARD as a time-dependent covariate and adjustments for additional potential confounders.Results1365 patients with AS and 1155 patients with uSpA were included, of whom 40.8% versus 50.3% used csDMARD comedication at baseline. In the unadjusted analyses superior drug survival was observed for patients using versus not using csDMARD comedication among patients with AS (p<0.001) but not among patients with uSpA (p=0.175). In the multivariable Cox regression analyses comedication with csDMARD was associated with better retention to TNFi therapy both in AS (HR 0.71, p<0.001) and uSpA (HR 0.82, p=0.020). The results were similar with csDMARD comedication as a time-dependent covariate, and the associations were retained when adjusting for erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, patient global, swollen joints, uveitis, psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease.ConclusionsIn this large register study of patients with AS and uSpA, use of csDMARD comedication was associated with better 5-year retention to the first TNFi.

Incidence and factors related to SARS-CoV-2 infection in a cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Colombia during the COVID-19 pandemic v1

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Machado Alba
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs ◽  
Antirheumatic Drugs ◽  
Biological Dmards ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Systemic Glucocorticoids ◽  
Synthetic Dmards ◽  
Disease Modifying

Introduction:Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have an increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection due to intrinsic characteristics of the pathology and the medications used to treat it. Objective: To evaluate the incidence of and factors related to SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with RA in Colombia. Materials and methods: This was an observational study of patients diagnosed with RA who were treated at a health care institution in Colombia. The study evaluated whether the patients presented SARS-CoV-2 infection and other clinical variables. Variables associated with the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection were identified. Results: A total of 2,566 patients with RA were identified. They had a median age of 61.9 years, and 81.1% were women. They were mainly treated with synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) (85.3%), glucocorticoids (52.2%) and biological DMARDs (26.8%). The incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was 5.1%, and the factors that increased the risk included treatment with synthetic DMARDs with or without biological DMARDs but with concomitant systemic glucocorticoids (OR: 2.18, 95% CI: 1.21-3.93 and OR: 1.69, 95% CI: 1.05-2.74, respectively) and receiving antidiabetic drugs (OR: 2.24, 95% CI: 1.27-3.94). A total of 20.8% of patients with COVID-19 required hospitalization, and 3.8% died. Conclusions: The incidence of COVID-19 is higher among patients with RA who receive DMARDs and glucocorticoids simultaneously or who have diabetes mellitus than among RA patients not receiving these drug combinations, which should guide treatment strategies.

Current evidence for the management of rheumatoid arthritis with synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs: a systematic literature review informing the EULAR recommendations for the management of rheumatoid arthritis

2010 ◽  
Vol 69 (6) ◽  
pp. 1004-1009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cécile Gaujoux-Viala ◽  
Josef S Smolen ◽  
Robert Landewé ◽  
Maxime Dougados ◽  
Tore K Kvien ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Structural Damage ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs ◽  
Antirheumatic Drugs ◽  
Synthetic Dmards ◽  
Disease Modifying

ObjectivesTo assess the efficacy and safety of synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)—a first step in a European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) initiative to produce recommendations for the management of RA.MethodsA systematic review of the literature using PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane library was performed up to January 2009. All randomised controlled trials (RCTs) reporting the efficacy of synthetic DMARDs (vs placebo or other synthetic DMARDs) on signs and symptoms, disability and/or radiographic structural damage in patients with RA were selected. Studies of biological agents or glucocorticoids were excluded. A pooled effect size (ES) was calculated by meta-analysis. Safety and the occurrence of infections and neoplasia was also assessed.Results97 RCTs (14 159 patients) were analysed for efficacy. The pooled analysis indicated that methotrexate (MTX) was more efficacious in reducing signs and symptoms, disability and radiographic structural damage than other synthetic DMARDs pooled: ES for swollen joint count (SJC) versus pooled DMARDs=1.42 (95% CI 0.65 to 2.18). Leflunomide appeared to be as effective as MTX. Sulfasalazine and injectable gold were efficacious in reducing signs and symptoms and structural damage. Ciclosporin, minocycline, tacrolimus and hydroxychloroquine showed some efficacy in reducing SJC. Auranofin and D-penicillamine showed no significant superiority over placebo. The risks of cancer and of infection were increased with cyclophosphamide and azathioprine.ConclusionsMTX was well-tolerated and effective in reducing signs and symptoms, disability and structural damage. A comparison with other synthetic DMARDs was in favour of MTX, though at the tested doses MTX and leflunomide were equally effective.

scholarly journals Back to Basics: Prioritizing Communication as a Key Instrument in Managing Rheumatoid Arthritis

2021 ◽  
pp. jrheum.210984
Author(s):  
Paul Studenic ◽  
Helga Radner
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Drug Therapy ◽  
Tumor Necrosis Factor ◽  
Tumor Necrosis ◽  
Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors ◽  
Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs ◽  
Antirheumatic Drugs ◽  
Synthetic Dmards ◽  
Disease Modifying ◽  
Necrosis Factor

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have come to experience a tremendous increase in therapeutic options with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).1 After decades of dissatisfying drug therapy results with conventional synthetic DMARDs (csDMARDs) only, the introduction of the first tumor necrosis factor inhibitors in the late 1990s has revolutionized RA treatment.2

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