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Chaudhary H, Bittar M, Daoud A, Magrey M. Dose Tapering and Discontinuation of Biologic DMARDs in Axial Spondyloarthritis: A Narrative Review (2023 SPARTAN Annual Meeting Proceedings). Curr Rheumatol Rep 2024; 26:155-163. [PMID: 38332457 PMCID: PMC11062993 DOI: 10.1007/s11926-024-01137-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Limited data is available for tapering or discontinuation of biologic therapy in patients with axSpA who are in disease remission. The current review concentrates on published studies regarding dose tapering or withdrawal of biologics in axSpA. RECENT FINDINGS Recent evidence in light of randomized controlled trials suggests that tapering of b-DMARDs is a feasible strategy to maintain remission or low disease activity in axSpA patients. TNF inhibitors were the studied biologics in most of these trials. The disease flare rates were comparable to those maintained on standard dose in most of these studies, although with variable tapering strategies and follow-up. Additionally, the duration of disease in remission prior to tapering, studied primary outcome, and flare definitions were heterogeneous. Female sex, HLA-B*27 negativity, high physician global score, and high CRP were negative predictors of successful tapering, but not consistently reported in all the trials. Although designed to address efficacy, there were no safety concerns with b-DMARD tapering. Withdrawal or complete discontinuation of biologics met with increased risk of flares compared to standard dosing. Tapering of TNF inhibitors may be feasible in certain axSpA patients with an acceptable disease state; however, discontinuation is not currently recommended owing to increased risk of flare. Future studies with axSpA patients with longer remission duration prior to taper and different doses and types of b-DMARDs may provide more guidance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haseeb Chaudhary
- Department of Rheumatology, Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals, Cleveland, OH, USA.
| | - Mohamad Bittar
- Division of Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Ansaam Daoud
- Department of Rheumatology, Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Marina Magrey
- Department of Rheumatology, Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals, Cleveland, OH, USA
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Uhrenholt L, Duch K, Christensen R, Dreyer L, Hauge EM, Schlemmer A, Taylor PC, Kristensen S. Predicting successful biologics tapering in patients with inflammatory arthritis: Secondary analyses based on the BIOlogical Dose OPTimisation (BIODOPT) trial. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2023; 89:3152-3164. [PMID: 37271939 DOI: 10.1111/bcp.15806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS To evaluate predictors for successful biologic tapering among patients with inflammatory arthritis using baseline characteristics from the BIODOPT trial. METHODS Adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis or axial spondyloarthritis on stable biologic dose and in low disease activity ≥12 months were enrolled. Participants were randomized (2:1) to disease activity-guided biologic tapering or continuation of baseline biologic. Patients achieving successful tapering reduced their biologic dose by ≥50%, had no protocol deviations and were in low disease activity at 18 months. Modified Poisson regression with robust variance estimator was applied. RESULTS In total, 142 patients were randomized to tapering (n = 95) or control (n = 47). Successful tapering was achieved by 32 and 2%, respectively. Tapering group was the only statistically significant independent predictor for successful tapering, risk ratio (RR): 14.0 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.9 to 101.3, P = .009). However, higher Short Form Health Survey 36 mental component summary (SF-36 MCS) was observed to be a predictor of potential importance, RR: 1.06 (95% CI: 0.99 to 1.13, P = .097). When limiting the analyses to the tapering group only, none of the baseline variables were statistically significant independent predictors but SF-36 MCS was still considered to be of potential importance, RR: 1.05 (95% CI: 0.99 to 1.12, P = .098). CONCLUSION Successful tapering is a reachable target for 1 in 3 patients with inflammatory arthritis who are interested in reducing their biological therapy. No statistically significant predictors (besides allocation to tapering) were identified. Future research on mental health and tapering is encouraged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Line Uhrenholt
- Center of Rheumatic Research Aalborg (CERRA), Department of Rheumatology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
- Section for Biostatistics and Evidence-Based Research, the Parker Institute, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kirsten Duch
- Center of Rheumatic Research Aalborg (CERRA), Department of Rheumatology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
- Unit of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Robin Christensen
- Section for Biostatistics and Evidence-Based Research, the Parker Institute, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Research Unit of Rheumatology, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Lene Dreyer
- Center of Rheumatic Research Aalborg (CERRA), Department of Rheumatology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Ellen-Margrethe Hauge
- Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Annette Schlemmer
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Rheumatology, Randers Regional Hospital, Randers, Denmark
| | - Peter C Taylor
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Salome Kristensen
- Center of Rheumatic Research Aalborg (CERRA), Department of Rheumatology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
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Lukasik Z, Carron P, Webers C. To taper or not to taper biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in axial spondyloarthritis anno 2023: That is the question. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2023; 37:101869. [PMID: 37658017 DOI: 10.1016/j.berh.2023.101869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
The 2022 ASAS-EULAR recommendations for the management of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) propose to consider dose reduction of biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) for patients in sustained remission. However, this recommendation does not offer clear guidance for daily clinical practice. In this review, we analyze randomized clinical trials and real-world data on tapering and discontinuation of bDMARDs in patients with axSpA. We discuss the scientific rationale and benefits of tapering, identify advice to apply tapering in current practice, and delineate aspects to be investigated in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzanna Lukasik
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium; VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Philippe Carron
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium; VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Casper Webers
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
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