scholarly journals Limiting factors to Boolean remission differ between autoantibody-positive and -negative patients in early rheumatoid arthritis

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 1759720X2110118
Author(s):  
Serena Bugatti ◽  
Ludovico De Stefano ◽  
Antonio Manzo ◽  
Garifallia Sakellariou ◽  
Blerina Xoxi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Limiting Factors ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Low Disease Activity ◽  
Early Ra ◽  
Full Remission ◽  
Autoantibody Profile ◽  
Autoantibody Status ◽  
Initiation Of Therapy

Background: The patient global assessment of disease activity (PGA) is the major limiting factor to Boolean remission in patients with established rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Here, we investigated the limiting variables to disease remission in patients with early RA treated with conventional synthetic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, also in relation to autoantibody status. Methods: Data were retrieved from 535 early RA patients (<12 months of symptoms) with an observation period of 6–12 months upon initiation of therapy with methotrexate aimed at the achievement of low disease activity based on the 28-joints disease activity score. Near-remission was defined as any of the four core items of Boolean remission >1 with the remaining three all ⩽1. Reasons for missing Boolean remission and predictors of near-remission subcategories were analyzed in relation to baseline disease variables. Results: After 6 and 12 months, near-remission was two-times more frequent than Boolean remission (25.6% and 26.9% at the two time-points). A 28-swollen joint count (SJC28) >1 was responsible for the majority of near-remission (56.2% and 57.6% at 6 and 12 months, respectively), and PGA > 1 accounted for approximatively 35% of the cases. Autoantibody-positivity independently predicted the risk of missing remission because of SJC28 > 1 [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.81 (1.59–4.9) at 6 months and 1.73 (1.01–3.01) at 12 months], whilst autoantibody-negativity was an independent predictor of PGA near-remission [adjusted OR (95% CI) 2.45 (1.25–4.80) at 6 months and 5.71 (2.47–13.2) at 12 months]. Conclusion: In early RA, Boolean remission is more frequently missed because of persistent swollen joints. However, barriers to full-remission vary in relation to the autoantibody status. Autoantibody-positive patients more commonly experience residual swollen joints, whilst PGA more frequently impairs remission in autoantibody-negative patients. Efforts to target full-remission in early RA may thus require different strategies according to autoantibody profile.

scholarly journals Limiting factors to Boolean remission differ between autoantibody-positive and -negative patients in early rheumatoid arthritis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serena Bugatti ◽  
Ludovico De Stefano ◽  
Francesca Benaglio ◽  
Garifallia Sakellariou ◽  
Antonio Manzo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Near Miss ◽  
Limiting Factors ◽  
Treat To Target ◽  
Near Misses ◽  
Early Ra ◽  
Full Remission ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Autoantibody Status

Abstract Background: Patients with established rheumatoid arthritis (RA) frequently miss Boolean remission solely because of the patient global assessment of disease activity (PGA) exceeding the cut-off of 1. Here, we investigated the frequency and the limiting variables to disease remission in patients with early RA treated with conventional synthetic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs according to a treat-to-target strategy, depending on the autoantibody status. Methods: Data were retrieved from 535 early RA patients (<12 months of symptoms), treatment-naïve at inclusion, with an observation period of 6 to 12 months upon initiation of therapy with methotrexate aimed at the achievement of low disease activity based on the 28-joints disease activity score. Near-remission was defined as any of the 4 core items of Boolean remission exceeding the cut-off of 1 with the remaining 3 all ≤1. Reasons for missing Boolean remission and predictors of near-remission subcategories were analysed in relation to baseline disease variables. Results: After 6 and 12 months from treatment start, near-remission was two-times more frequent than Boolean remission (25.6% and 26.9% at the two time-points). A 28-swollen joint count (SJC28) >1 was responsible for the majority of near-misses (56.2% and 57.6% at 6 and 12 months, respectively), and PGA >1 accounted for approximatively 35% of the cases. None of the variables of disease activity neither patient reported outcomes at baseline could discriminate SJC28 from PGA near-misses. Rather, autoantibody-positivity independently predicted the risk of missing remission because of SJC28 >1 with an adjusted OR [95% CI] of 3.62 [1.89-6.93] at 6 months and 2.36 [1.25-4.47] at 12 months, whilst autoantibody-negativity was an independent predictor of PGA near-miss (adjusted OR [95% CI] 2.71 [1.31-5.64] at 6 months and 6.50 [2.47-17.12] at 12 months). Conclusions: In patients with early RA, Boolean remission is more frequently missed because of persistent swollen joints. However, barriers to full-remission vary in relation to the autoantibody status. Autoantibody-positive patients more commonly experience residual swollen joints, whilst the PGA more frequently impairs the achievement of remission in autoantibody-negative patients. These findings indicate that efforts to target full-remission in early RA may require different treatment strategies according to the autoantibody profile.

scholarly journals Clinical Response Within 12 Weeks as a Predictor of Future Low Disease Activity in Patients with Early RA: Results from the TEAR Trial

2013 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 572-578 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey R. Curtis ◽  
Theresa McVie ◽  
Ted R. Mikuls ◽  
Richard J. Reynolds ◽  
Iris Navarro-Millán ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Clinical Response ◽  
Model Building ◽  
Prediction Models ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Prediction Rule ◽  
Low Disease Activity ◽  
Derivation Cohort ◽  
Early Ra

Objective.Rapidly predicting future outcomes based on short-term clinical response would be helpful to optimize rheumatoid arthritis (RA) management in early disease. Our aim was to derive and validate a clinical prediction rule to predict low disease activity (LDA) at 1 year among patients participating in the Treatment of Early Aggressive Rheumatoid Arthritis (TEAR) trial escalating RA therapy by adding either etanercept or sulfasalazine + hydroxychloroquine [triple therapy (TT)] after 6 months of methotrexate (MTX) therapy.Methods.Eligible subjects included in the derivation cohort (used for model building, n = 186) were participants with moderate or higher disease activity [Disease Activity Score 28-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS-ESR) > 3.2] despite 24 weeks of MTX monotherapy who added either etanercept or sulfasalazine + hydroxychloroquine. Clinical characteristics measured within the next 12 weeks were used to predict LDA 1 year later using multivariable logistic regression. Validation was performed in the cohort of TEAR patients randomized to initially receive either MTX + etanercept or TT.Results.The derivation cohort yielded 3 prediction models of varying complexity that included age, DAS28 at various timepoints, body mass index, and ESR (area under the receiver-operator characteristic curve up to 0.83). Accuracy of the prediction models ranged between 80% and 95% in both derivation and validation cohorts, depending on the complexity of the model and the cutpoints chosen for response and nonresponse. About 80% of patients could be predicted to be responders or nonresponders at Week 12.Conclusion.Clinical data collected early after starting or escalating disease-modifying antirheumatic drug/biologic treatment could accurately predict LDA at 1 year in patients with early RA. For patients predicted to be nonresponders, treatment could be changed at 12 weeks to optimize outcomes.

SAT0049 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN EARLY AND ESTABLISHED RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS IN TIME TO ACHIEVING CDAI BUT NOT FATIGUE LOW DISEASE ACTIVITY AND REMISSION: DATA FROM THE OBRI REGISTRY

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 955-956
Author(s):  
J. Pope ◽  
M. Movahedi ◽  
E. Rampakakis ◽  
A. Cesta ◽  
J. Sampalis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Disease State ◽  
Practice Research ◽  
Research Support ◽  
Low Disease Activity ◽  
Early Ra ◽  
Research Initiative ◽  
Patient Reported

Background:Previous studies have shown that early diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is important for achieving comprehensive disease control and have identified established disease as an independent predictor of worse clinical outcomes. However, it is not clear whether these differences are driven by patient-reported or objective outcome measures.Objectives:The aim of this analysis was to compare the time to achieving low disease activity (LDA) and remission based on both objective and patient-reported outcomes in people with early vs. established RA followed in routine clinical care.Methods:RA patients enrolled in the Ontario Best Practices Research Initiative (OBRI) registry that were not in a low disease state at baseline based on the CDAI, SJC28, PtGA, pain and fatigue criteria below, and had at least six months of follow-up, were included in the analysis. LDA was defined as CDAI≤10, SJC28≤2, TJC28≤2, PtGA≤2cm, pain≤2cm, fatigue≤2cm, and MDGA≤2cm; remission was defined as CDAI≤2.8, SJC28≤1, TJC28≤1, PtGA≤1cm, pain≤1cm, fatigue≤1cm, and MDGA≤1cm. Between group (early vs. established) differences in time to first LDA/remission were assessed with Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and the log-rank test.Results:A total of 986 patients were included, 347 (35%) with early RA and 639 (65%) with established RA. At baseline, patients with early RA were significantly younger (55.8 vs. 58.3 years) and were less likely to have a comorbidity (94.5% vs. 97.5%) or an erosion (26.7% vs. 62.6%), be RF-positive (65.6% vs. 74.2%), use bDMARDs (7.5% vs. 26.6%), and be non-smokers (38.9% vs. 47.3%).Time to achieving LDA based on CDAI (HR [95%CI]: (1.23 [1.07,1.43]), SJC28 (1.32 [1.15,1.51]), TJC28 (1.18 [1.02,1.36]), MDGA (1.28 [1.10,1.49]), PtGA (1.23 [1.05,1.44]), and pain (1.29 [1.09,1.52]) were significantly shorter in early RA compared to established RA. Similarly, time to achieving remission based on CDAI (HR [95%CI]: (1.50 [1.22,1.84]), SJC28 (1.35 [1.17,1.55]), MDGA (1.25 [1.06,1.47]), PtGA (1.22 [1.02,1.47]), and pain (1.37 [1.14,1.65]) were significantly shorter in early RA. However, no differences were observed in time to remission based on TJC28 (1.12 [0.96,1.31]) and either LDA or remission based on fatigue (LDA (1.10 [0.94,1.30]); remission (1.09 [0.92,1.31]).Adjustment for age, gender, presence of comorbidities, and baseline scores did not alter the results.Conclusion:Time to achieving low disease state or remission based on various objective and patient-reported measures is significantly shorter in early compared to established RA with the exception of fatigue.Disclosure of Interests:Janet Pope Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly & Company, Merck, Roche, Seattle Genetics, UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, Actelion, Amgen, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eicos Sciences, Eli Lilly & Company, Emerald, Gilead Sciences, Inc., Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Sandoz, Sanofi, UCB, Speakers bureau: UCB, Mohammad Movahedi Consultant of: Allergan, Emmanouil Rampakakis: None declared, Angela Cesta: None declared, John Sampalis: None declared, Claire Bombardier Grant/research support from: Dr Bombardier reports sources of funding for Ontario Best Practice Research Initiative Research grants from Abbvie, Janssen, Amgen, Medexus, Merck, Pfizer, and Novartis outside of the submitted work. Consulting Agreements: Abbvie, Covance, Janssen, Merck, Pfizer, Sanofi and Novartis outside of the submitted work. Advisory Board Membership: Hospira, Sandoz, Merck, Pfizer and Novartis outside of the submitted work.

scholarly journals A systematic review of guidelines for managing rheumatoid arthritis

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aneela Mian ◽  
Fowzia Ibrahim ◽  
David L. Scott
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Treatment Target ◽  
Low Disease Activity ◽  
Disease Modifying Drugs ◽  
Early Ra ◽  
Core Dataset ◽  
Moderate Disease ◽  
Conventional Dmards ◽  
Current Guidelines

Abstract Background We systematically reviewed current guidelines for managing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to evaluate their range and nature, assess variations in their recommendations and highlight divergence in their perspectives. Methods We searched Medline and Embase databases using the terms ‘clinical practice guidelines’ and ‘rheumatoid arthritis’ from January 2000 to January 2017 together with publications of national and international bodies. We included guidelines providing recommendations on general RA management spanning a range of treatments and published in English. We undertook narrative assessments due to the heterogeneity of the guidelines. Results We identified 529 articles; 22 met our inclusion criteria. They were primarily developed by rheumatologists with variable involvement of patient and other experts. Three dealt with early RA, one established RA and 18 all patients. Most guidelines recommend regular assessments based on the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology core dataset; 18 recommended the disease activity score for 28 joints. Twenty recommended targeting remission; 16 suggested low disease activity as alternative. All guidelines recommend treating active RA; 13 made recommendations for moderate disease. The 21 guidelines considering early RA all recommended starting disease modifying drugs (DMARDs) as soon as possible; methotrexate was recommended for most patients. Nineteen recommended combination DMARDs when patients failed to respond fully to monotherapy and biologics were not necessarily indicated. Twenty made recommendations about biologics invariably suggesting their use after failing conventional DMARDs, particularly methotrexate. Most did not make specific recommendations about using one class of biologics preferentially. Eight recommended tapering biologics when patients achieved sustained good responses. Conclusions Five general principles transcend most guidelines: DMARDs should be started as soon as possible after the diagnosis; methotrexate is the best initial treatment; disease activity should be regularly monitored; give biologics to patients with persistently active disease who have already received methotrexate; remission or low disease activity are the preferred treatment target.

FRI0076 Low Disease Activity or DAS-Remission as Treatment Target in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

2016 ◽  
Vol 75 (Suppl 2) ◽  
pp. 454.1-454
Author(s):  
G. Akdemir ◽  
I.M. Markusse ◽  
A.A. Schouffoer ◽  
P.B. de Sonnaville ◽  
B.A. Grillet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Early Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Treatment Target ◽  
Low Disease Activity

scholarly journals FRI0127 Suppression of radiographic progression after gradual methotrexate tapering in patients with rheumatoid arthritis patients maintaining low disease activity - Prospective multicenter study-

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 645.1-645
Author(s):  
K. Katayama ◽  
K. Yujiro ◽  
T. Okubo ◽  
R. Fukai ◽  
T. Sato ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Joint Destruction ◽  
Reduction Rate ◽  
Bone Destruction ◽  
High Response ◽  
Continuation Rate ◽  
Low Disease Activity ◽  
One Year ◽  
Response Group

Background:Many studies have been reported to reduce/discontinue Biologics in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In contrast, study for tapering methotrexate (MTX) has been limited (1,2).Objectives:We prospectively examined whether bone destruction will progress at 48 weeks after tapering or discontinuing MTX (UMIN000028875).Methods:The subjects were RA patients who have maintained low disease activity or lower for 24 weeks or more in DAS28-CRP after MTX administration. Patients having PDUS Grade 2 or 3 per site by bilateral hand ultrasonography (26 area) were excluded in this study owing to risk for joint destruction. The joint destruction was evaluated by the joint X-ray evaluation by modified total Sharp scoring (mTSS) at 1 year after the start of tapering MTX. Evaluation of clinical disease activities, severe adverse events, the continuation rate during MTX tapering were also evaluated. According to tapering response, prognostic factor for good response for tapering, joint destruction was determined. Predictors for successful tapering MTX and progression of bone destruction were determined. Statistical analysis was performed by t-test or Wilcoxon rank sum test using SAS .13.2 software.Results:The subjects were 79 (16 males, 63 females). Age average 60.9 years, disease duration 4 years 4 months, MTX dose 8.43 mg / w, DAS28-CRP 1.52, DMARDs (24.3%), ACPA 192.7 U / ml (70.5%), RF 55.6 IU / ml (65.4%).MTX was tapered from an average of 8.43 mg / w before study to 5.46 mg / w one year later. In the treatment evaluation, DAS28-CRP increased from 1.52 to 1.84. 89.7% of subjects did not progress joint damage. Other disease activities significantly increased (Table 1). The one-year continuation rate was 78.2%. Since tapering effects were varied widely, we divided patients into three groups; Flared group (N=14, initial MTX dose 8.71mg/w, final MTX dose 8.42mg/w), Low response group (N=31, final MTX reduction rate< 50%, initial MTX dose 8.93mg/w, final MTX dose 6.22mg/w), High response group (N=34, final MTX reduction rate≥ 50%, initial MTX dose 8.5mg/w, final MTX dose 3.15mg/w)(Table 2).Higher RF value at baseline and higher MTX dose at 3M, 6M were predictors of whether a subject was in Low response group or High Response group. Higher RF value and mTSS at baseline and higher MTX dose at 6M were predictors whether a subject was in Flared group or High response group. Lower age was predictor of whether a subject was in Flared group or Low responder group. Finally, mean ΔmTSS /y in Flared group (0.36) was not significantly higher than in low response group (0.07) and in high response group (0.01).Table 1Table 2.Predictors for successful tapering MTX and progression of bone destructionConclusion:Patients with MTX-administered low disease activity and finger joint echo PDUS grade 1 satisfy almost no joint destruction even after MTX reduction. For tapering, predictors may be helpful for maintaining patient’s satisfaction.References:[1]Baker KF, Skelton AJ, Lendrem DW et al. Predicting drug-free remission in rheumatoid arthritis: A prospective interventional cohort study. J. Autoimmunity. 2019;105: 102298.[2]Lillegraven S, Sundlisater N, Aga A et al. Tapering of Conventional Synthetic Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients in Sustained Remission: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial. American College of Rheumatology. 2019; Abstract L08.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

The sFlt-1 to PlGF Ratio in Pregnant Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Impact of Disease Activity and Sulfasalazine Use

Rheumatology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rugina I Neuman ◽  
Hieronymus T W Smeele ◽  
A H Jan Danser ◽  
Radboud J E M Dolhain ◽  
Willy Visser
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Third Trimester ◽  
Low Disease Activity ◽  
The Third ◽  
Observational Prospective Cohort Study ◽  
Plgf Ratio

Abstract Objectives An elevated sFlt-1/PlGF-ratio has been validated as a significant predictor of preeclampsia, but has not been established in women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We explored whether the sFlt-1/PlGF-ratio could be altered due to disease activity in RA, and could be applied in this population to predict preeclampsia. Since sulfasalazine has been suggested to improve the angiogenic imbalance in preeclampsia, we also aimed to examine whether sulfasalazine could affect sFlt-1 or PlGF levels. Methods Making use of a nationwide, observational, prospective cohort study on pregnant women with RA, sFlt-1 and PlGF were measured in the third trimester. A total of 221 women, aged 21–42 years, were included, with a median gestational age of 30 + 3 weeks. Results No differences in sFlt-1 or PlGF were observed between women with high, intermediate or low disease activity (p= 0.07 and p= 0.41), whereas sFlt-1 and PlGF did not correlate with DAS28-CRP score (r=-0.01 and r=-0.05, respectively). Four (2%) women with a sFlt-1/PlGF-ratio ≤38 developed preeclampsia in comparison to three (43%) women with a ratio &gt; 38, corresponding to a negative predictive value of 98.1%. Sulfasalazine users (n = 57) did not show altered levels of sFlt-1 or PlGF in comparison to non-sulfasalazine users (n = 164, p= 0.91 and p= 0.11). Conclusion Our study shows that in pregnant women with RA, the sFlt-1/PlGF-ratio is not altered due to disease activity and a cut-off ≤38 can be used to exclude preeclampsia. Additionally, sulfasalazine use did not affect sFlt-1 or PlGF levels in this population.

scholarly journals Plasma interferon-alpha is associated with double-positivity for autoantibodies but is not a predictor of remission in early rheumatoid arthritis—a spin-off study of the NORD-STAR randomized clinical trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marit Stockfelt ◽  
Anna-Carin Lundell ◽  
Merete Lund Hetland ◽  
Mikkel Østergaard ◽  
Till Uhlig ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trial ◽  
Early Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Treatment Initiation ◽  
Certolizumab Pegol ◽  
Type I ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Early Ra

Abstract Background The type I interferon (IFN) gene signature is present in a subgroup of patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Protein levels of IFNα have not been measured in RA and it is unknown whether they associate with clinical characteristics or treatment effect. Methods Patients with early untreated RA (n = 347) were randomized to methotrexate combined with prednisone, certolizumab-pegol, abatacept, or tocilizumab. Plasma IFNα protein levels were determined by single molecular array (Simoa) before and 24 weeks after treatment initiation and were related to demographic and clinical factors including clinical disease activity index, disease activity score in 28 joints, swollen and tender joint counts, and patient global assessment. Results IFNα protein positivity was found in 26% of the patients, and of these, 92% were double-positive for rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA). IFNα protein levels were reduced 24 weeks after treatment initiation, and the absolute change was similar irrespective of treatment. IFNα protein positivity was associated neither with disease activity nor with achievement of CDAI remission 24 weeks after randomization. Conclusion IFNα protein positivity is present in a subgroup of patients with early RA and associates with double-positivity for autoantibodies but not with disease activity. Pre-treatment IFNα positivity did not predict remission in any of the treatment arms, suggesting that the IFNα system is distinct from the pathways of TNF, IL-6, and T-cell activation in early RA. A spin-off study of the NORD-STAR randomized clinical trial, NCT01491815 (ClinicalTrials), registered 12/08/2011, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01491815.

scholarly journals Switching from TNFα inhibitor to tacrolimus as maintenance therapy in rheumatoid arthritis after achieving low disease activity with TNFα inhibitors and methotrexate: 24-week result from a non-randomized, prospective, active-controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sang Youn Jung ◽  
Jung Hee Koh ◽  
Ki-Jo Kim ◽  
Yong-Wook Park ◽  
Hyung-In Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Maintenance Therapy ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitor ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Open Label ◽  
Low Disease Activity ◽  
Efficacy Analysis ◽  
Tnfα Inhibitor

Abstract Background Tapering or stopping biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs has been proposed for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in remission, but it frequently results in high rates of recurrence. This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of tacrolimus (TAC) as maintenance therapy in patients with established RA in remission after receiving combination therapy with tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) and methotrexate (MTX). Methods This 24-week, prospective, open-label trial included patients who received TNFi and MTX at stable doses for ≥24 weeks and had low disease activity (LDA), measured by Disease Activity Score-28 for ≥12 weeks. Patients selected one of two arms: maintenance (TNFi plus MTX) or switched (TAC plus MTX). The primary outcome was the difference in the proportion of patients maintaining LDA at week 24, which was assessed using a logistic regression model. Adverse events were monitored throughout the study period. Results In efficacy analysis, 80 and 34 patients were included in the maintenance and switched arms, respectively. At week 24, LDA was maintained in 99% and 91% of patients in the maintenance and switched arms, respectively (odds ratio, 0.14; 95% confidence interval, 0.01–1.59). Drug-related adverse effects tended to be more common in the switched arm than in the maintenance arm (20.9% versus 7.1%, respectively) but were well-tolerated. Conclusion This controlled study tested a novel treatment strategy of switching from TNFi to TAC in RA patients with sustained LDA, and the findings suggested that TNFi can be replaced with TAC in most patients without the patients experiencing flare-ups for at least 24 weeks. Trial registration Korea CDC CRIS, KCT0005868. Registered 4 February 2021—retrospectively registered

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