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

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 65-70
Author(s):  
N. V. Chichasova

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.

2017 ◽  
Vol 76 (6) ◽  
pp. 1102-1107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katerina Chatzidionysiou ◽  
Sharzad Emamikia ◽  
Jackie Nam ◽  
Sofia Ramiro ◽  
Josef Smolen ◽  
...  

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.


2020 ◽  
pp. jrheum.201137
Author(s):  
Maarten Boers ◽  
Theodore Pincus

We read with interest the article by Hanly and Lethbridge concerning long-term patterns of glucocorticoid (GC) use in older patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)1. Their report indicates that GC use has remained relatively stable over time, in contrast to greater use of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and biologic agents in the treat-to-target directive. They also report that rheumatologists prescribe lower doses than other physicians, and that the mean dose for rheumatologists has decreased over time.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tetsuo Kobayashi ◽  
Satoshi Ito ◽  
Akira Murasawa ◽  
Hajime Ishikawa ◽  
Koichi Tabeta

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.


2017 ◽  
Vol 76 (6) ◽  
pp. 1113-1136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jackie L Nam ◽  
Kaoru Takase-Minegishi ◽  
Sofia Ramiro ◽  
Katerina Chatzidionysiou ◽  
Josef S Smolen ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo update the evidence for the efficacy of biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to inform European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Task Force treatment recommendations.MethodsMEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane databases were searched for phase III or IV (or phase II, if these studies were lacking) randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published between January 2013 and February 2016. Abstracts from the American College of Rheumatology and EULAR conferences were obtained.ResultsThe RCTs confirmed greater efficacy with a bDMARD+conventional synthetic DMARD (csDMARD) versus a csDMARDs alone (level 1A evidence). Using a treat-to-target strategy approach, commencing and escalating csDMARD therapy and adding a bDMARD in cases of non-response, is an effective approach (1B). If a bDMARD had failed, improvements in clinical response were seen on switching to another bDMARD (1A), but no clear advantage was seen for switching to an agent with another mode of action. Maintenance of clinical response in patients in remission or low disease activity was best when continuing rather than stopping a bDMARD, but bDMARD dose reduction or ‘spacing’ was possible, with a substantial proportion of patients achieving bDMARD-free remission (2B). RCTs have also demonstrated efficacy of several new bDMARDs and biosimilar DMARDs (1B).ConclusionsThis systematic literature review consistently confirmed the previously reported efficacy of bDMARDs in RA and provided additional information on bDMARD switching and dose reduction.


2015 ◽  
Vol 44 (5) ◽  
pp. 506-513 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lydia Abasolo ◽  
Leticia Leon ◽  
Luis Rodriguez-Rodriguez ◽  
Aurelio Tobias ◽  
Zulema Rosales ◽  
...  

2014 ◽  
Vol 73 (3) ◽  
pp. 516-528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jackie L Nam ◽  
Sofia Ramiro ◽  
Cecile Gaujoux-Viala ◽  
Kaoru Takase ◽  
Mario Leon-Garcia ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo update the evidence for the efficacy of biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARD) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to inform the European League Against Rheumatism(EULAR) Task Force treatment recommendations.MethodsMedline, Embase and Cochrane databases were searched for articles published between January 2009 and February 2013 on infliximab, etanercept, adalimumab, certolizumab-pegol, golimumab, anakinra, abatacept, rituximab, tocilizumab and biosimilar DMARDs (bsDMARDs) in phase 3 development. Abstracts from 2011 to 2012 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and 2011–2013 EULAR conferences were obtained.ResultsFifty-one full papers, and 57 abstracts were identified. The randomised controlled trials (RCT) confirmed the efficacy of bDMARD+conventional synthetic DMARDs (csDMARDs) versus csDMARDs alone (level 1B evidence). There was some additional evidence for the use of bDMARD monotherapy, however bDMARD and MTX combination therapy for all bDMARD classes was more efficacious (1B). Clinical and radiographic responses were high with treat-to-target strategies. Earlier improvement in signs and symptoms were seen with more intensive initial treatment strategies, but outcomes were similar upon addition of bDMARDs in patients with insufficient response to MTX. In general, radiographic progression was lower with bDMARD use, mainly due to initial treatment effects. Although patients may achieve bDMARD- and drug-free remission, maintenance of clinical responses was higher with bDMARD continuation (1B), but bDMARD dose reduction could be applied (1B). There was still no RCT data for bDMARD switching.ConclusionsThe systematic literature review confirms efficacy of biological DMARDs in RA. It addresses different treatment strategies with the potential for reduction in therapy, particularly with early disease control, and highlights emerging therapies.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Machado Alba

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.


2010 ◽  
Vol 69 (6) ◽  
pp. 1004-1009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cécile Gaujoux-Viala ◽  
Josef S Smolen ◽  
Robert Landewé ◽  
Maxime Dougados ◽  
Tore K Kvien ◽  
...  

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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1388.2-1388
Author(s):  
R. Hassan ◽  
M. Cheikh ◽  
H. Almoallim ◽  
H. Faruqui ◽  
R. Alquraa ◽  
...  

Background:National Registries are essential to direct current practice and design appropriate management strategies1. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) registries in the middle east and north Africa remain scarcely represented2.Objectives:Our objective is to describe the Saudi RA population and to compare the findings to internationally reported data.Methods:This is a cross sectional, analytical study that was conducted at Doctor Soliman Fakeeh Hospital (DSFH). The study ran from December of 2014 and concluded in December of 2018 using a pool of 433 patients. Inclusion criteria included adults older than 18 years of age who fulfilled the 2010 American College of Rheumatology criteria for diagnosis of RA3. Data were collected from patients and entered in a specially designed program for this registry. They included main demographic details,, lag times to final disease diagnosis. Disease Activity Score-28-C Reactive Protein (DAS-28-CRP) was calculated on presentation and on subsequent visits with intervals ranging from three to six months between them. Multiple regression model was used to assess the predictors of disease activity. We charted the lines of medications given, including conventional and biologic disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), following treat to target strategies4.Results:Out of 430 patients, 76.68% were female, while only 23.32% were male and the mean age was found to be 49.26 years with SD±11.At initial presentation, 45.5% had demonstrated active disease (moderate or high disease activity) based on DAS-28-CRP scores while 54.5% were in remission or low disease activity. Out of the total number of clinic visitors, 330 had regular follow ups for more than 1 year while 103 patients were either irregularly visiting the rheumatology clinic or had lost follow up. The remission rates after 1 year had increased to 79.7% (263 patients), while 9.7% (32 patients) had low disease activity and no patients had sustained high disease activity at the end of follow up. It was also found that the female gender, higher Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI) and a longer lag1/lag2 period were associated with higher disease activity in our population. Biologic medications had been used by 129 patients (29.7%) while conventional DMARDs were given to 304 patients (70.3%).Conclusion:We described a population of RA patients in a single center in SA. We detected higher remission rates at one year of follow up. This could be attributed to many factors, including good referral systems and treat to target strategies with easier access to biologic medications.References:[1]Singh JA, Saag KG, Bridges SL Jr, Akl EA, Bannuru RR, Sullivan MC, Vaysbrot E, McNaughton C, Osani M, Shmerling RH, Curtis JR, Furst DE, Parks D, Kavanaugh A, O’Dell J, King C, Leong A, Matteson EL, Schousboe JT, Drevlow B, Ginsberg S, Grober J, St Clair EW, Tindall E, Miller AS, McAlindon T. 2015 American College of Rheumatology Guideline for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis.Arthritis Rheumatol.2016 Jan;68(1):1-26.[2]Smolen, Josef S., et al. “EULAR recommendations for the management of rheumatoid arthritis with synthetic and biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs: 2013 update.”Annals of the rheumatic diseases73.3 (2014): 492-509.[3]Saag KG, Teng GG, Patkar NM, Anuntiyo J, Finney C, Curtis JR, et al. American College of Rheumatology 2008 recommendations for the use of nonbiologic and biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in rheumatoid arthritis.Arthritis Rheum2008;59: 762–84.[4]Hussain W, Noorwali A, Janoudi N. From symptoms to diagnosis: an observational study of the journey of rheumatoid arthritis patients in Saudi Arabia.Oman Med J.2016;31(1):29.Disclosure of Interests:Rola Hassan Grant/research support from: Pfizer pharmaceuticals, Mohamed Cheikh Grant/research support from: Pfizer pharmaceuticals, Hani Almoallim Grant/research support from: Pfizer pharmaceuticals, Hanan Faruqui Grant/research support from: Pfizer pharmaceuticals, Reem AlQuraa Grant/research support from: Pfizer pharmaceuticals, Ayman Eissa Grant/research support from: Pfizer pharmaceuticals, Aous Alhazmi Grant/research support from: Pfizer pharmaceuticals, Nahid Janoudi Grant/research support from: Pfizer pharmaceuticals


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