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ID PMID Title PublicationDate abstract
26697765 Treating to target in established rheumatoid arthritis: Challenges and opportunities in an 2015 Aug There is increasing consensus that periodic monitoring of disease activity status in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients to achieve and maintain remission, or at least low disease activity (LDA), the so-called treat to target (T2T) improves outcomes regardless of the duration of disease. Based on systematic literature reviews (SLRs) of clinical trials and registries, International Recommendations published in 2015 represent expert opinion describing efficacy and safety of conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) and biologic DMARDs (bDMARDs). A total of 10 recommendations are detailed from four "Overarching Principles": (1) treatment decisions are shared between patient and rheumatologist; (2) the primary goalv is to maximize long-term quality of life by controlling the symptoms, preventing joint damage, and by normalizing the function and social and work participation; (3) abrogation (not just control) of inflammation is the most effective method to achieve this goal; (4) T2T by measuring disease activity regularly and adjusting therapy to achieve remission/LDA optimizes outcomes in RA. The SLRs provide solid evidence that methotrexate is the "anchor" of csDMARD and that step-up therapy by adding/substituting other csDMARDs, such as sulfasalazine (SSZ), hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), or/and leflunomide (LEF) is as effective as combination therapy to initiate. Tofacitinib, a recently marketed csDMARD, may be more effective in comparison to MTX, and can be used in combination. Rapid disease control can be achieved by "bridging" with various regimens of glucocorticoids (GCs), but tapering to doses ≤7.5 mg/day is critical to limit side effects. In practice settings, use of bDMARDs is influenced by reimbursement. Tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) are highly used, but as more data emerge, there appear to be no major differences to more recently available targeted bDMARD monoclonal antibodies such as abatacept (co-stimulation blockade), rituximab (B cell depleting), tocilizumab (TCZ) (interleukin (IL)-6 receptor blockade). Rituximab appears to be most effective for seropositive patients, and tocilizumab may be more effective as a monotherapy in patients intolerant to csDMARDs. Besides T2T, attention to managing treatment and optimizing outcomes should take into account potential adverse effects, such as risk of serious infection, as well as potential morbidity/mortality related to cardiovascular events, pulmonary disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, and fibromyalgia which often influence some measures, such as the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ).
26063454 Attainment and characteristics of clinical remission according to the new ACR-EULAR criter 2015 Jun 11 INTRODUCTION: This study evaluated various remission criteria in abatacept plus methotrexate (MTX)-treated patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We aimed to investigate the time to, and sustainability of, remission, and to evaluate the relationship between remission, function and structure. METHODS: Post hoc analyses were performed from the 12-month, double-blind period of the Abatacept study to Gauge Remission and joint damage progression in methotrexate (MTX)-naive patients with Early Erosive rheumatoid arthritis (AGREE) in patients with early RA (≤2 years) and poor prognostic factors, comparing abatacept plus MTX (n = 210) versus MTX alone (n = 209). RESULTS: At month 12, Disease Activity Score 28, Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI), Clinical Disease Activity Index and Boolean remission rates were, for abatacept plus MTX versus MTX alone: 47.6 % versus 27.3 %, 33.3 % versus 12.4 %, 34.3 % versus 16.3 %, and 23.8 % versus 5.7 %, respectively. Cumulative probability demonstrated higher proportions achieving first remission and first sustained remission for abatacept plus MTX versus MTX alone (e.g., 23.3 % [95 % confidence interval (CI): 17.6, 29.1] vs 12.9 % [8.4, 17.5] for first SDAI remission over 0-6 months). For patients in SDAI remission at month 3, mean Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index at month 12 was 0.20 versus 0.50 for abatacept plus MTX versus MTX alone. Mean changes in radiographic score from baseline to month 12 were minimal for patients in SDAI remission at month 3 in both groups, while less structural damage progression was seen, 0.75 versus 1.35, respectively, for abatacept plus MTX versus MTX alone for patients with moderate/high disease activity at month 3 (adjusted mean treatment difference: -0.60 [95 % CI: -1.11, -0.09; P < 0.05]). CONCLUSIONS: High proportions of abatacept plus MTX-treated patients achieved stringent remission criteria. Remission was associated with long-term functional benefit; dissociation was seen between clinical and structural outcomes for abatacept. These findings highlight the impact of reaching stringent remission targets early, on physical function and structural damage, in MTX-naïve biologic-treated patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT00122382. Registered 19 July 2005.
26449852 Non-adherence to disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs is associated with higher disease a 2015 Oct 8 INTRODUCTION: Non-adherence to disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) hampers the targets of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment, obtaining low disease activity and decreasing radiological progression. This study investigates if, and to what extent, non-adherence to treatment would lead to a higher 28-joint count disease activity score (DAS28) in the first year after diagnosis. METHODS: Adult patients from an ongoing cohort study on treatment adherence were selected if they fulfilled the EULAR/ACR2010 criteria for RA, and were to start with their first DMARDs. Clinical variables were assessed at baseline and every 3 months. Non-adherence was continuously electronically measured and was defined as the proportion of days with a negative difference between expected and observed openings of the medication container out of the 3-month period before DAS28 measurement. Generalized linear mixed models were used to investigate whether the DAS28 related to non-adherence. Covariates included were age, sex, baseline DAS28, rheumatoid factor positivity, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (ACPA) positivity, anxiety, depression, weeks of treatment, number of DMARDs used, education level, use of subcutaneous methotrexate and biological use. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty patients met the inclusion criteria for RA. During the study period 17 patients became lost to follow-up. There was a decline in adherence over time for all DMARDs except for prednisone. Non-adherence is a predictor of disease activity in the first 6 months of therapy, adjusted for weeks of treatment, baseline DAS28, and baseline anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: Non-adherence relates to disease activity. Therefore, interventions towards enhancing adherence can improve disease outcome.
27749239 Treatment in rheumatoid arthritis and mortality risk in clinical practice: the role of bio 2016 Nov OBJECTIVES: To assess the mortality rate (MR) and the mortality risk of a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) inception cohort, with and without biologic agents (BAs). Other factors associated to mortality were also investigated. METHODS: Retrospective longitudinal study of RA patients, attending the rheumatology outpatient clinic of a tertiary Hospital (Madrid), collected over 5 years (2000-2004), and followed from the diagnosis of RA up to the patients' death, lost to follow-up or September 2013. The dependent variable was death and the independent variable was exposure to BAs. Covariables: sociodemographic, clinical and therapy variables. MR was expressed per 1,000 patient-years with the 95% confidence interval [CI]. BA influence on MR was analysed by multivariable Cox models. Clinical and therapy variables were used in a time-dependent manner. The results are expressed in hazard ratio (HR) and [CI]. RESULTS: We included 576 patients and 711 courses of therapy. 19.6% were taking BA, 86% disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) (70% on methotrexate - MTX), and 12% were untreated. There were 133 deaths during 4,981.64 patient-years at risk. The MR for BA was 12.6 [6-26], for DMARDs was 22.3 [18.4-27.1], and for those without treatment was 89.1 [61.9-128.2]. The adjusted HR for mortality in those exposed to BA versus those not exposed was 0.75 [0.32-1.71]). Other variables independently associated with mortality were: age, rheumatoid factor, hospital admissions, Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), and MTX use (HR: 0.44 [0.29-0.66]). CONCLUSIONS: BAs and standard DMARDs are more effective in decreasing mortality compared to no therapy. Patients exposed to Bas were not associated with a significant increase or decrease in mortality when compared to patients with non-biological DMARDs. The use of MTX remains the only drug that has independently shown a beneficial effect on mortality.
28011155 Soluble vascular endothelial (VE) cadherin and autoantibodies to VE-cadherin in rheumatoid 2017 Dec OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical value of sVE and anti-vascular endothelial-cadherin antibodies (AAVE) in RA treated with etanercept or adalimumab combined with methotrexate. METHODS: This was an 18-month prospective multicenter study in which patients had active RA, requiring TNF antagonist. sVE rates and AAVE titers were measured respectively by dot blot and ELISA. The relationship of these biomarkers with parameters reflecting articular or systemic disease activity, progression of structural damage, and response or remission to treatment was analyzed. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients received TNF blocking agents. Variation of sVE rates were significantly correlated with that of C-reactive protein (CRP) levels at weeks 6, 12, 26 and 52. A significant decrease in sVE levels was observed in the group of patients exhibiting a decrease in CRP levels as compared to the patient group with unmodified CRP. AAVE at baseline were correlated with rheumatoid factor. Kinetics analysis of sVE levels and AAVE titers showed that their level were not associated with disease activity score and to methotrexate/adalimumab or etanercept response. CONCLUSIONS: sVE is a biomarker associated with systemic RA activity under anti-TNF. AAVE are related to autoantibodies usually associated to RA.
27846901 A method for automated pathogenic content estimation with application to rheumatoid arthri 2016 Nov 15 BACKGROUND: Sequencing technologies applied to mammals' microbiomes have revolutionized our understanding of health and disease. Hence, to assess diseases' progression as well as therapies longterm effects, the impact of maladies and drugs on the gut-intestinal (GI) microbiome has to be evaluated. Typical metagenomic analyses are run to associate to a condition (disease, therapy, diet) a pool of bacteria, whose eubiotic/dysbiotic potential is assessed either by α-diversity, a measure of the varieties populating the microbiome, or by Firmicutes to Bacteroides ratio, associated to systemic inflammation, and finally by manual and direct inspection of bacteria's biological functions, when known. These approaches lead to results sometimes difficult to interpret in terms of the evolution towards a specific microbial composition, harmed by large areas of unknown. RESULTS: We propose to additionally evaluate a microbiome based on its global composition, by automatic annotation of pathogenic genera and statistical assessment of the net varied frequency of harmless versus harmful organisms. This application is intuitive, quantitative and computationally efficient and designed to cope with the currently incomplete species' functional knowledge. Our results, applied to human GI-microbiome data exemplify how this layer of information provides additional insights into treatments' impact on the GI microbiome, allowing to characterize a more physiologic effects of Prednisone versus Methotrexate, two treatments for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) a complex autoimmune systemic disease. CONCLUSIONS: Our quantitative analysis integrates with previous approaches offering an additional systemic level of interpretation here applied, for its potential to translate into clinically relevant information, to the therapies for RA.
25451821 [Monitoring the functional capacity of patients with rheumatoid arthritis for three years] 2015 Jan OBJECTIVE: To quantify modification of functional capacity in a three year period in a group of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using HAQ and EPM-ROM inventories. METHODS: Forty patients with RA on methotrexate (MTX) as disease-modifying anti rheumatic drug (DMARD) were followed for up to three years. The functional status was assessed at the beginning and end of the period by HAQ and EPM-ROM. RESULTS: Thirty two patients were retrieved, with initial HAQ score of 1.14±0.49 (mean±SD) and EPM-ROM score of 5.8±2.75. After an average period of three years, the HAQ score was 1.13±0.49 and EPM-ROM score, 6.81±3.66. In the subgroup of seven patients submitted to orthopedic surgery, HAQ score decreased from 0.84±0.72 to 1.64±0.56 and the EPM-ROM score, from 5.8±1.80 to 8.3±0.74. In the subgroup of non-operated patients, HAQ score varied from of 1.2±0.45 to 1.07±0.70 and EPM-ROM score, from 5.7±3.06 to 6.4±3.90. CONCLUSION: In a group of RA patients in use of only MTX as DMARD, there was little change on HAQ score and EPM-ROM scores over the average period of three years. Worsening functional capacity was observed in the group of operated patients in comparison to the not operated ones. This fact alerts us to the need for use of broader therapeutic regimens availability of musculoskeletal surgeries in a timely manner in patients with RA.
26091906 Does a family history of RA influence the clinical presentation and treatment response in 2016 Jun OBJECTIVES: To assess whether family history of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), among the strongest risk factors for developing RA, also carries information on the clinical presentation and treatment response. METHODS: The prospective Swedish Rheumatology register was linked to family history of RA, defined as diagnosed RA in any first-degree relative, ascertained through the Swedish Multi-Generation and Patient registers. Clinical presentation was examined among patients with early RA 2000-2011 (symptom onset <12 months before inclusion, N=6869), and response to methotrexate (MTX) monotherapy in the subset starting this treatment (N=4630). Response to tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) was examined among all patients with RA starting a TNFi as the first biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drug 2000-2011 (N=9249). Association of family history with clinical characteristics, drug survival, European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) response and change in disease activity at 3 and 6 months was estimated using linear and generalised logistic regression models. Correlation in relatives' response measures was also assessed. RESULTS: Patients with early RA with family history of RA were more often rheumatoid factor positive, but with no other clinically meaningful differences in their clinical presentation. Family history of RA did not predict response to MTX or TNFi, with the possible exception of no versus good EULAR response to TNFi at 6 months (OR=1.4, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.7). Having a relative who discontinued TNFi within a year increased the odds of doing the same (OR=3.7, 95% CI 1.8 to 7.5), although we found no significant familial correlations in change in disease activity measures. CONCLUSIONS: Family history of RA did not modify the clinical presentation of RA or predict response to standard treatment with MTX or TNFi. Treatment response, particularly drug survival, may itself be familial.
27379764 Association of the ATIC 347 C/G polymorphism with responsiveness to and toxicity of methot 2016 Nov This study investigated whether the 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide transformylase gene (ATIC) 347 C/G polymorphism can predict the response to or toxicity of methotrexate (MTX) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We conducted a meta-analysis of studies on the association between ATIC 347 C/G polymorphism and non-responsiveness to or toxicity of MTX in RA patients, using PUBMED, EMBASE, and COCHRANE. Nine comparative studies from 6 articles including 1056 RA patients met our inclusion criteria. This final group of studies comprised 5 studies on response to MTX and 4 on toxicity of MTX in RA patients in relation to the ATIC 347 C/G polymorphism status. Meta-analysis showed association between the ATIC 347 GG + GC genotype and non-response to MTX therapy (OR = 1.572, 95 % CI 1.146-2.156, p = 0.005). Stratification by ethnicity indicated significant association between the ATIC 347 GG + GC genotype and non-response to MTX in Caucasians (OR = 1.884, 95 % CI 1.236-2.873, p = 0.003), but not in Asian patients. Similarly, associations were noted for the ATIC 347 C/G polymorphism through analysis using recessive and overdominant models. Meta-analysis revealed association between the ATIC 347 GG + GC genotype and MTX toxicity (OR = 1.454 95 % CI 1.034-2.044, p = 0.032). Stratification by ethnicity indicated significant association between the ATIC 347 GG + GC genotype and MTX toxicity in Caucasians (OR = 1.741, 95 % CI 1.080-2.806, p = 0.023), but not in Asian patients. The ATIC 347 C/G polymorphism may be associated with non-responsiveness to and or toxicity of MTX in Caucasian RA patients.
27002108 Comparing the effects of tofacitinib, methotrexate and the combination, on bone marrow oed 2016 Jun OBJECTIVES: To explore the effects of tofacitinib-an oral Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-with or without methotrexate (MTX), on MRI endpoints in MTX-naive adult patients with early active RA and synovitis in an index wrist or hand. METHODS: In this exploratory, phase 2, randomised, double-blind, parallel-group study, patients received tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily + MTX, tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily + placebo (tofacitinib monotherapy), or MTX + placebo (MTX monotherapy), for 1 year. MRI endpoints (Outcome Measures in Rheumatology Clinical Trials RA MRI score (RAMRIS), quantitative RAMRIS (RAMRIQ) and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI) were assessed using a mixed-effect model for repeated measures. Treatment differences with p<0.05 (vs MTX monotherapy) were considered significant. RESULTS: In total, 109 patients were randomised and treated. Treatment differences in RAMRIS bone marrow oedema (BME) at month 6 were -1.55 (90% CI -2.52 to -0.58) for tofacitinib + MTX and -1.74 (-2.72 to -0.76) for tofacitinib monotherapy (both p<0.01 vs MTX monotherapy). Numerical improvements in RAMRIS synovitis at month 3 were -0.63 (-1.58 to 0.31) for tofacitinib + MTX and -0.52 (-1.46 to 0.41) for tofacitinib monotherapy (both p>0.05 vs MTX monotherapy). Treatment differences in RAMRIQ synovitis were statistically significant at month 3, consistent with DCE MRI findings. Less deterioration of RAMRIS and RAMRIQ erosive damage was seen at months 6 and 12 in both tofacitinib groups versus MTX monotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide consistent evidence using three different MRI technologies that tofacitinib treatment leads to early reduction of inflammation and inhibits progression of structural damage. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01164579.
25684765 Prediction of clinical response after 1 year of infliximab therapy in rheumatoid arthritis 2015 Apr OBJECTIVE: To investigate the probability of clinical remission (REM) or low disease activity (LDA) after 1 year of infliximab (IFX) therapy based on disease activity at 3 months in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Methotrexate-refractory patients with RA received 3 mg/kg of IFX at weeks 0, 2, and 6, followed by 3 mg/kg, 6 mg/kg, or 10 mg/kg every 8 weeks from Week 14 (W14) to Week 46. Correlation of disease activity at W14 with disease activity at W54 and probability of REM/LDA at W54 were analyzed in each dosing group. RESULTS: Disease activities at W14 were significantly correlated with both disease activity at W54 and probability of REM/LDA at W54 in patients continuing 3 mg/kg as well as in those receiving 6 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg therapy from W14. Results showed that, if approximate REM or LDA had not been achieved by W14, > 50% of patients continuing 3 mg/kg therapy would not be able to achieve REM or LDA at W54. However, even in patients with high or moderate disease activity at W14, dose escalation to 6 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg enabled many to achieve REM/LDA. CONCLUSION: Disease activity at W14 in standard-dose IFX therapy enabled the prediction of longterm clinical response at continued standard dose, as well as subsequent escalated-dose regimens. Disease activity at W14 was hypothesized to be an important index for IFX treatment strategy.
25771854 Reduced folate carrier-1 80G > A gene polymorphism is not associated with methotrexate tre 2016 Apr Methotrexate (MTX) is the most commonly used disease-modifying drug to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although there are no reliable molecular markers to predict the treatment response and adverse effects to MTX therapy, the polymorphisms in genes coding for MTX metabolizing enzymes and transporters may play a crucial role. The reduced folate carrier-1 (RFC-1) is a bidirectional anion exchanger which transports MTX and folinic acid. It is reported to influence MTX treatment response and adverse effects in some ethnic populations but not in others. It is also associated with susceptibility to various diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The present study was aimed at investigating the role of RFC-1 80G > A gene polymorphism in association with disease susceptibility, MTX treatment response and the MTX-induced adverse events in the South Indian Tamil patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The RFC-1 80G > A gene polymorphism was investigated in 327 patients with RA and in 322 healthy controls by PCR-RFLP method. It was found that the heterozygous RFC-1 80 GA genotype was associated with protection against RA [p = 0.02, odds ratio (OR) 0.69, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.50-0.95]. However, it was not found to be associated with MTX treatment response. The RFC-1 G allele frequency was higher in patients with adverse effects, but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.08, OR 1.44, 95 % CI 0.97-2.13). RFC-1 80G > A gene polymorphism confers protection for RA. However, it is not associated with MTX treatment response and MTX-induced adverse effects in South Indian Tamil patients with RA.
25190551 Regulation of serum matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 2015 Apr In our article, we evaluated the regulatory effects of the infusions of rituximab, a monoclonal antibody directed against CD20(+) B cells, on the serum matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) levels in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) not responding to anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy. Twelve RA patients were planned to receive four infusions of 1,000 mg of rituximab at weeks 0, 2, 24 and 26. The therapy was combined with methotrexate (MTX) (20-30 mg/week). Seven patients were refractory to previously received infliximab, and five to etanercept. Serum concentrations of interstitial collagenase (MMP-1), stromelysin-1 (MMP-3), gelatinase B (MMP-9) and TIMP-1 were measured by ELISA on weeks 0, 2, 12, 24, 36 and 52. Initial infusion of rituximab downregulated serum MMP-1 (p < 0.01), MMP-3 (p < 0.001), MMP-9 (p < 0.001) and TIMP-1 (p < 0.05) levels. Second drug administration caused even more remarkable reduction of measured MMPs (p < 0.001 in all cases) and TIMP-1 level (p < 0.01). These findings were accompanied by significantly decreased ratios of measured MMPs to TIMP-1. Next rituximab infusions on weeks 24 and 26 sustained the suppression of serum MMPs levels. Prior to the initial rituximab infusion, serum concentrations of studied MMPs and TIMP-1 significantly correlated with markers of RA activity such as disease activity score (DAS28) and CRP levels. Rituximab therapy, beside a rapid clinical improvement, reduced serum MMPs concentrations in RA patients refractory to anti-TNF treatment. Repeated infusions of rituximab maintained initial serum MMPs suppression.
26315962 Radiologic damage at baseline predicts patient-related outcomes 18 years after the initiat 2015 Sep OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess the association of the degree of radiologic damage at baseline with long-term patient-related outcomes (PRO) in patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: This prospective observational single-centre study (Ratingen, Germany) included all RA patients starting treatment with methotrexate (MTX) between 1980 and 1987. Standardised clinical evaluations and radiographs of hands and feet were obtained at baseline and during the following years. About 18 years later, patients were invited for a re-assessment. PRO were assessed in three dimensions according to the International Classification of Functioning and Disability (ICF). Statistical analyses comprised multivariable models using baseline values for radiologic damage of hands and feet, age, gender, disease duration, rheumatoid factor positivity, measures of disease activity, and response to MTX as covariates. RESULTS: At baseline, the mean disease duration was 8.5 years. The disease was active with a mean number of swollen joints of 18 (out of 32) and a mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 55 mm/hour. Radiologic damage was present in 95% of the patients. After 18 years, patient-related outcomes could be assessed in 78/271 patients (29%). Among chosen covariates, only the degree of baseline radiologic damage as measured by the Ratingen score was predictive of all long-term PRO (p<0.016). CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort including patients with severe RA, baseline radiologic damage was a good long-term predictor of PRO related to all three ICF dimensions.
27122121 Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in India-how and by whom: results from a speciality 2016 Sep This study was conducted in order to study (a) seropositive RA patients for their prior caregivers, diagnosis makers, drugs and doses taken and (b) the disease status at the first visit and the last visit, from the standpoint of whether they received optimum or suboptimum DMARD treatment. Prospectively entered data were extracted from a rheumatology-specific electronic health record for demography, diagnostic delay, prior caregivers, diagnosis makers, intake of DMARDs and glucocorticoids and disease activity state at first presentation and at the last visit using structured query language. Among 316 patients, prior caregivers were orthopaedicians (73.4 %), alternative systems of medicine practitioners (62 %), internists (38 %), rheumatologists (35.8 %), general practitioners (17 %) and others (12 %). The diagnosis of RA was made by rheumatologists (55.6 %), orthopaedicians (21 %), internists (12.6 %), physiotherapists (3.5 %), homeopaths (2.8 %), general practitioner (2.1 %), neurologists (1.4 %) and Ayurvedic physicians (0.7 %). The mean and the median diagnostic delay among 142 patients where information was available were 18 and 8.5 months, respectively (SD +23.2). Thirty-two percent of the patients had early disease, 48 % established disease and 20 % late disease at presentation. Sixty-six percent of the patients had taken DMARDs-methotrexate (56 %), hydroxychloroquine (46.2 %), leflunomide (18.7 %) and sulfasalazine (20.6 %)-and often in combinations. Different preparations, doses and schedules of glucocorticoids were taken orally or parentally by 51 %. Only one (0.3 %) patient had taken biological DMARDs prior to visiting this clinic. High or moderate disease activity was present in 84 % at the first clinic visit that fell to 14 % at the last clinic visit. The majority of patients with RA were treated by orthopaedicians and practitioners of alternative systems of medicine with only a third by rheumatologists. In 80 % of patients, the diagnosis was made 18 months at the onset, yet in 84 %, the disease control was poor. Non-use or suboptimal use of methotrexate appeared to be the main reason.
24291654 Mortality in rheumatoid arthritis: the impact of disease activity, treatment with glucocor 2015 Feb OBJECTIVES: To investigate the impact of disease activity, the course of the disease, its treatment over time, comorbidities and traditional risk factors on survival. METHODS: Data of the German biologics register RABBIT were used. Cox regression was applied to investigate the impact of time-varying covariates (disease activity as measured by the DAS28, functional capacity, treatment with glucocorticoids, biologic or synthetic disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)) on mortality after adjustment for age, sex, comorbid conditions and smoking. RESULTS: During 31 378 patient-years of follow-up, 463 of 8908 patients died (standardised mortality ratio: 1.49 (95% CI 1.36 to 1.63)). Patients with persistent, highly active disease (mean DAS28  > 5.1) had a significantly higher mortality risk (adjusted HR (HRadj)=2.43; (95% CI 1.64 to 3.61)) than patients with persistently low disease activity (mean DAS28 < 3.2). Poor function and treatment with glucocorticoids > 5 mg/d was significantly associated with an increased mortality, independent of disease activity. Significantly lower mortality was observed in patients treated with tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα) inhibitors (HRadj=0.64 (95% CI 0.50 to 0.81), rituximab (HRadj=0.57 (95% CI 0.39 to 0.84), or other biologics (HRadj=0.64 (95% CI 0.42 to 0.99), compared to those receiving methotrexate. To account for treatment termination in patients at risk, an HRadj for patients ever exposed to TNFα inhibitors or rituximab was calculated. This resulted in an HRadj of 0.77 (95% CI 0.60 to 0.97). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with long-standing high disease activity are at substantially increased risk of mortality. Effective control of disease activity decreases mortality. TNFα inhibitors and rituximab seem to be superior to conventional DMARDs in reducing this risk.
26091907 Validity of early MRI structural damage end points and potential impact on clinical trial 2016 Jun OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the construct validity of the rheumatoid arthritis MRI score (RAMRIS) erosion evaluation as structural damage end point and to assess the potential impact of incorporation in clinical trials. METHODS: In a randomised trial of early methotrexate-naïve RA (GO-BEFORE), RAMRIS scores were determined from MRIs and van der Heijde-Sharp (vdHS) scores from radiographs, at baseline, week 12, week 24 and week 52. Progression in damage scores was defined as change >0.5. Associations of X-ray and MRI outcomes with clinical features were evaluated for convergent validity. Iterative Wilcoxon rank sum tests and tests of proportion estimated the sample size required to detect differences between combination therapy (methotrexate+golimumab) and methotrexate-monotherapy arms in (A) change in damage score and (B) proportion of patients progressing. RESULTS: Patients with early MRI progression had higher DAS28, C reactive protein (CRP) and vdHS at baseline, and higher 2-year HAQ. Associations were similar to those with 1-year vdHS progression. Differences in change in structural damage between treatment arms achieved significance with fewer subjects when 12-week or 24-week MRI erosion score was the outcome (150 patients; 100 among an enriched sample with baseline-synovitis >5) compared with the 52-week vdHS (275 patients). Differences in the proportion progressing could be detected in 234 total subjects with 12-week MRI in an enriched sample whereas 1-year X-ray required between 468 and 1160 subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Early MRI erosion progression is a valid measure of structural damage that could substantially decrease sample size and study duration if used as structural damage end point in RA clinical trials.
28006881 Methotrexate-induced panniculitis in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis. 2016 Dec Methotrexate-induced accelerated nodulosis (MIAN) is not an uncommon adverse effect associated with the use of the methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis. Limited case reports describe panniculitis as a pathological finding in this setting. A 31-year-old female with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis on methotrexate therapy presented with a 2-week history of sudden onset of painful infiltrated subcutaneous nodules on both forearms. Based on clinical and histological findings, a diagnosis of methotrexate-induced panniculitis was made. The majority of MIAN case reports that we reviewed showed characteristic pathological findings of classic rheumatoid nodules; few reported panniculitis as a finding. This case illustrates the importance of recognizing this phenomenon as methotrexate-induced panniculitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any patient receiving methotrexate presenting with a recent history of accelerated nodulosis. Discontinuation of methotrexate remains controversial.
27385076 Effects of treatment with etanercept versus methotrexate on sleep quality, fatigue and sel 2016 Sep OBJECTIVES: To compare sleep quality, disease activity and patient-reported outcomes such as fatigue and immune parameters in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with etanercept (ETA) or methotrexate (MTX). METHODS: Of 36 patients (28-joint Disease Activity Score, DAS28CRP≥3.2) in this 16-week (w), open, prospective study, 19 (11 women) received MTX 12.5-17 mg/w, and 17 (14 women) received ETA 25 mg x 2/w, alone or in combination with MTX. Clinical (DAS28CRP, visual analogue scale), laboratory (C-reactive protein [CRP]), sleep (polysomnography), functional (Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory; Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI); 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), immunological (humoral/cellular) and neuroendocrine (hormonal) parameters were recorded at baseline (BL), w8 and w16. RESULTS: BL characteristics did not differ significantly between the ETA and MTX groups except disease duration: mean age (years): 48.6±8.8 vs. 49.4±16.6; mean disease duration (months): 19.6±46.3 vs. 81.2±79.2; and DAS28CRP: 4.4±0.9 vs. 4.4±1.7, respectively. DAS28CRP, SF-36, and HAQ-DI improved significantly in both groups from BL to w16 (p≤0.05). The DAS28CRP improvements at w16 (mean changes -1.8 in the ETA group, and -1.4 in MTX group), were not statistically significant from each other. The absolute values of sleep efficiency, total sleep time, and stage 2 sleep duration increased significantly in the ETA group, but no significant changes were reported in the MTX group. CONCLUSIONS: Both therapies improved disease activity, CRP, SF-36 and HAQ-DI, with faster, more pronounced changes in DAS28CRP in the ETA group, which alone had significantly improved sleep parameters.
26526669 The development of a questionnaire to evaluate rheumatoid arthritis patient's knowledge ab 2016 Mar AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Assess knowledge concerning methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis patients by means of a questionnaire. BACKGROUND: Methotrexate is the standard drug for rheumatoid arthritis treatment. It has potentially serious side effects that can be largely prevented by making sure that patients are well informed and comply with prescription guidelines. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. METHODS: A questionnaire on methotrexate (mode of action, administration, drug interactions), side effects, monitoring and lifestyle implications was offered to all the rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with the drug seen between March and September 2013 in a large hospital in France. RESULTS: One hundred and eighty-three patients (143 women), mean age 60 (13·5) years, with a median disease duration of 12 years [7-20] and treated with methotrexate for eight years [5-13] took part. Methotrexate was identified as a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug by 78% of the patients. The weekly administration method was well assimilated (97%); 67% indicated that the rationale for folic acid was to reduce treatment toxicity. Only 21% knew that trimethoprim was contraindicated. Half were aware of the haematologic risk and 36% were aware of the risk of hypersensitivity pneumonitis. There was knowledge concerning laboratory testing (80%), but 54% thought they were only being monitored for rheumatoid arthritis activity. Only 13% of the men, but 90% of the women, of childbearing age knew that contraception was essential, and 75% indicated that alcohol consumption should be limited. A low knowledge score correlated significantly with age and low educational level. It was independent of sex, duration of treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. CONCLUSIONS: Rheumatoid arthritis patient's knowledge concerning methotrexate is poor, particularly for the most serious side effects (haematologic and hypersensitivity pneumonitis), interactions with trimethoprim, and in men, the need for contraception. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Patient knowledge concerning methotrexate should be regularly checked and supported using the different therapeutic education tools available, especially when patients are older people and have had limited schooling.