scholarly journals Double-blinded randomized controlled trial to reveal the effects of Brazilian propolis intake on rheumatoid arthritis disease activity index; BeeDAI

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. e0252357
Author(s):  
Yoshinari Matsumoto ◽  
Kanae Takahashi ◽  
Yuko Sugioka ◽  
Kentaro Inui ◽  
Tadashi Okano ◽  
...  

Background and aims Brazilian propolis reportedly contributed to suppressing disease activity in a mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), suggesting new treatment options using Brazilian propolis. However, only results from animal experiments have been available, and the suppressive effects of Brazilian propolis on disease activity in humans with RA remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to clinically validate how Brazilian propolis intake changes disease activity in RA patients. Methods This study was conducted as a multicenter, double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study of 80 women with RA (median age, 61.5 years; interquartile range, 56.0 to 67.3 years) showing moderate disease activity on Disease Activity Score in 28 joints using erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR). Test tablets containing Brazilian propolis were used in Group P (40 patients), and Brazilian propolis-free placebo tablets were used as control in Group C (40 patients). Group P received 5 tablets of propolis (508.5 mg of propolis) daily, and Group C received 5 tablets of placebo daily. The intervention lasted 24 weeks, with change in DAS28-ESR set as the primary endpoint. As secondary endpoints, other disease activity assessment (DAS28 using C-reactive protein, simplified disease activity index, clinical disease activity index), ultrasonographic evaluation of synovitis, activities of daily living, quality of life, changes in cytokine levels, and adverse events over the course of the study were also assessed. Data were statistically analyzed by analysis of covariance. Results No significant differences in the primary endpoint were identified between groups (Group P vs Group C, effect: 0.14, 95% confidence interval: -0.21 to 0.49, p = 0.427). Likewise, no significant differences were seen between groups for any secondary endpoints. The adverse event rate during the study period was 28% in Group P and 33% in Group C. Conclusions Brazilian propolis exerted no effects on disease activity in patients with RA.

2013 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 359-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne G. Semb ◽  
Silvia Rollefstad ◽  
Sella A. Provan ◽  
Tore K. Kvien ◽  
Einar Stranden ◽  
...  

Objective.Carotid plaques (CP) are predictive of acute coronary syndrome in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), suggesting that atherosclerotic plaques in these patients are vulnerable. The objective of our study was to characterize vulnerability of CP in patients with RA compared to a control population, and between RA patients with different levels of disease activity.Methods.Ultrasound examination of carotid arteries was performed in 152 patients with RA and 89 controls. CP echolucency was evaluated by the Gray-Scale Median (GSM) technique. Lower GSM values indicate higher vulnerability of plaques. CP characteristics were compared between RA patients with active disease and in remission, and between patients and controls. All analyses were performed with adjustment for confounding factors (sex, age, smoking, and blood pressure). Poisson regression analysis was used for count data, mixed modeling for GSM and area per plaque, and analysis of covariance for minimum GSM value per patient.Results.Patients with RA more frequently had CP (median 2, range 0, 4) compared with controls (median 1, range 0, 3; p < 0.001), after adjustment for age and sex. Patients with active RA disease according to the Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) had lower median GSM (p = 0.03), minimum GSM (p = 0.03), and a larger CP area (although the latter finding was not significant; p = 0.27), compared with patients with RA in remission. These findings were not confirmed for other disease measures (Simplified Disease Activity Index, Disease Activity Score-28, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate).Conclusion.Patients with RA had more CP compared with controls and patients in CDAI remission, and controls had more stable CP than patients with active disease; these findings point to the importance of achieving remission in RA.


2021 ◽  
pp. annrheumdis-2021-219876
Author(s):  
Evgeniy Nasonov ◽  
Saeed Fatenejad ◽  
Eugen Feist ◽  
Mariana Ivanova ◽  
Elena Korneva ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of olokizumab (OKZ) in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis despite treatment with methotrexate (MTX).MethodsIn this 24-week multicentre, placebo-controlled, double-blind study, patients were randomised 1:1:1 to receive subcutaneously administered OKZ 64 mg once every 2 weeks, OKZ 64 mg once every 4 weeks, or placebo plus MTX. The primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving an American College of Rheumatology 20% (ACR20) response at week 12. The secondary efficacy endpoints included percentage of subjects achieving Disease Activity Score 28-joint count based on C reactive protein <3.2, Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index at week 12, ACR50 response and Clinical Disease Activity Index ≤2.8 at week 24. Safety and immunogenicity were assessed throughout the study.ResultsA total of 428 patients were randomised. ACR20 responses were more frequent with OKZ every 2 weeks (63.6%) and OKZ every 4 weeks (70.4%) than placebo (25.9%) (p<0.0001 for both comparisons). There were significant differences in all secondary efficacy endpoints between OKZ-treated arms and placebo. Treatment-emergent serious adverse events (TESAEs) were reported by more patients in the OKZ groups compared with placebo. Infections were the most common TESAEs. No subjects developed neutralising antidrug antibodies.ConclusionsTreatment with OKZ was associated with significant improvement in signs, symptoms and physical function of rheumatoid arthritis without discernible differences between the two regimens. Safety was as expected for this class of agents. Low immunogenicity was observed.Trial registration numberNCT02760368.


2014 ◽  
Vol 41 (8) ◽  
pp. 1600-1606 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheryl Barnabe ◽  
Nguyen Xuan Thanh ◽  
Arto Ohinmaa ◽  
Joanne Homik ◽  
Susan G. Barr ◽  
...  

Objective.Sustained remission in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) results in healthcare utilization cost savings. We evaluated the variation in estimates of savings when different definitions of remission [2011 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism Boolean Definition, Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI) ≤ 3.3, Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) ≤ 2.8, and Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS28) ≤ 2.6] are applied.Methods.The annual mean healthcare service utilization costs were estimated from provincial physician billing claims, outpatient visits, and hospitalizations, with linkage to clinical data from the Alberta Biologics Pharmacosurveillance Program (ABioPharm). Cost savings in patients who had a 1-year continuous period of remission were compared to those who did not, using 4 definitions of remission.Results.In 1086 patients, sustained remission rates were 16.1% for DAS28, 8.8% for Boolean, 5.5% for CDAI, and 4.2% for SDAI. The estimated mean annual healthcare cost savings per patient achieving remission (relative to not) were SDAI $1928 (95% CI 592, 3264), DAS28 $1676 (95% CI 987, 2365), and Boolean $1259 (95% CI 417, 2100). The annual savings by CDAI remission per patient were not significant at $423 (95% CI −1757, 2602). For patients in DAS28, Boolean, and SDAI remission, savings were seen both in costs directly related to RA and its comorbidities, and in costs for non-RA-related conditions.Conclusion.The magnitude of the healthcare cost savings varies according to the remission definition used in classifying patient disease status. The highest point estimate for cost savings was observed in patients attaining SDAI remission and the least with the CDAI; confidence intervals for these estimates do overlap. Future pharmacoeconomic analyses should employ all response definitions in assessing the influence of treatment.


2015 ◽  
Vol 42 (7) ◽  
pp. 1090-1098 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leslie R. Harrold ◽  
George W. Reed ◽  
Ashwini Shewade ◽  
Robert Magner ◽  
Katherine C. Saunders ◽  
...  

Objective.To characterize the real-world effectiveness of rituximab (RTX) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.Methods.Clinical effectiveness at 12 months was assessed in patients who were prescribed RTX based on the Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI). Change in CDAI was calculated (CDAI at 12 mos minus at initiation). Achievement of remission or low disease activity (LDA; CDAI ≤ 10) among those with moderate/high disease activity at the time of RTX initiation was compared based on prior anti-tumor necrosis factor agent (anti-TNF) use (1 vs ≥ 2) using logistic regression models.Results.Patients (n = 265) were followed for 12 months with a mean change in CDAI of −8.1 (95% CI −9.8 – −6.4). Of the 218 patients with moderate/high disease activity at baseline, patients with 1 prior anti-TNF (baseline CDAI 25.0) demonstrated a mean change in CDAI of −10.1 (95% CI −13.2 – −7.0); patients with ≥ 2 prior anti-TNF (baseline CDAI 30.0) demonstrated a mean change of −10.5 (95% CI −12.9 – −8.0). The unadjusted OR for achieving LDA/remission in patients with moderate/high disease activity at baseline exposed to ≥ 2 versus 1 prior anti-TNF was 0.40 (95% CI 0.22–0.73), which was robust to 4 different adjusted models (OR range 0.38–0.44).Conclusion.A good clinical response was observed in all patients; however, patients previously treated with 1 anti-TNF, who had lower baseline CDAI and a greater opportunity for clinical improvement compared with patients previously treated with ≥ 2 anti-TNF, were more likely to achieve LDA/remission.


2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 72
Author(s):  
VikramSingh Tanwar ◽  
Harpreet Singh ◽  
Gagandeep Sukhija ◽  
Rekha Mathur ◽  
Parminder Kaur

Author(s):  
A. V. Rudenko ◽  
T. D. Tyabut ◽  
A. E. Buglova ◽  
G. A. Babak ◽  
P. M. Morozik ◽  
...  

Vitamin D deficiency is an important environmental risk factor that influences the prevalence and severity of several autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency in patients with RA, to establish the relationship between serum vitamin D levels and indicators of disease activity. 156 patients with RA were included in the study, mean age 60.2 ± 13.9 years. Assessment of clinical status was performed, serum concentrations of rheumatoid factor (RF), C-reactive protein (CRP), total vitamin D (25(OH)D), antibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptide (ACCP) were determined. RA disease activity was evaluated using DAS28 (disease activity score), SDAI (Simplified Disease Activity Index) и CDAI (Clinical Disease Activity Index) scores. Average levels of 25(OH)D in the surveyed sample were 25.2 ± 13.2 ng/ml. The results of the study indicate a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients with RA. Normal indicators of vitamin D, its insufficiency and deficiency were observed in 47 (30.3 %), 45 (28.7 %) and 64 (40.7 %) patients, respectively. Low level of serum 25(OH)D was associated with higher indices of RA activity according to DAS28, SDAI and CDAI, as well as with greater tender joint count. Vitamin D should be prescribed as an adjunctive therapy in patients with active RA due to its potential immunomodulatory effect, as well as for the prevention and treatment of bone metabolism disorders.


2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oana Șerban ◽  
Daniela Fodor ◽  
Iulia Papp ◽  
Mihaela Cosmina Micu ◽  
Dan Gabriel Duma ◽  
...  

Aim: To compare the ultrasonography (US) performance with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in identifying pathology in ankles, hindfeet and heels of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and to evaluate the reasons for discordances between the two imaging methods.Material and methods: RA patients were enrolled and evaluated using the Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) and the Disease Activity Score 28 with C-reactive Protein (DAS28-CRP). The ankle (tibiotalar joint, tendons), hindfoot (talonavicular, subtalar joints) and heel of the most symptomatic or dominant foot (for the asymptomatic patient)were evaluated by two pairs of examiners using US and contrast-enhanced MRI.Results: Totally, 105 joints, 245 tendons and 35 heels in 35 patients [mean age 59.2±11.25 years old, median disease duration 36 (16.5-114), mean CDAI 19.87±12.7] were evaluated. The interobserver agreements between the two sonographers, and the two radiologists were good and very good (k=0.624-0.940). The overall agreement between US and MRI was very good for subcalcaneal panniculitis (k=0.928, p<0.001), moderate for synovitis (k=0.463, p<0.001) and tenosynovitis (k=0.514, p<0.001), fair for osteophytes (k=0.260, p=0.004), and poor for erosions (k=0.063, p=0.308) and heel’s structures. MRI found more erosions, synovitis, osteophytes,tenosynovitis and retrocalcaneal bursitis, but US found more enthesophytes and plantar fasciitis. Many of the discordancesbetween the two imaging techniques have explanations related to the technique itself or definition of the pathologic findings.Conclusions: US is comparable to MRI for the evaluation of ankle, hindfoot and heel in RA patients and discordances in theinterpretation of the pathological findings/normal structures must be carefully analyzed.


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