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Gui Y, Zhao J, Xie W, Huang H, Zhang Z. The universal presence of poor prognostic factors based on EULAR recommendations: A real-world study in 1164 Chinese RA patients. Joint Bone Spine 2023; 90:105633. [PMID: 37684001 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbspin.2023.105633] [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: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Poor prognostic factors (PPFs) have been used in assisting therapeutic decision-making in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). There are no standard lists of PPFs for RA, and whether PPFs can guide RA treatment remains controversial. OBJECTIVES To analyze the profile of PPF based on EULAR recommendations in RA patients and explore the necessity of considering these PPFs in adjusting therapy. METHODS Prognostic factors including erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA), swollen joint count (SJC), early erosions, and response to first conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (csDMARD) therapy in 1164 RA patients were collected. The profile of PPFs was graphically displayed. The correlation between different PPFs was analyzed. RESULTS Elevated ESR/CRP was presented in 746 (64%) patients, and positive RF/ACPA in 1021 (88%) patients. Two hundred and sixty-eight (23%) patients had≥4 swollen joints. Three hundred (26%) patients had moderate or high disease activity (MDA/HDA) despite csDMARD therapy. Failure of≥2 csDMARDs was found in 30% (224/740) of patients. One hundred and fifty-three out of 459 (33%) patients had early bone erosions, usually coexisted with other PPFs. Ninety-seven percent of RA patients had≥1 PPF. Being MDA/HDA≥3 months was significantly correlated with elevated ESR/CRP or high SJC, however uncorrelated with RF/ACPA positivity or early erosions. CONCLUSIONS PPFs are universally present in RA patients. The reasonability of guiding treatment strategies just based on the presence or absence of PPFs requires further investigation. The categories of PPFs can be simplified and the role of different PPFs combinations in guiding treatment needs to be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanni Gui
- Rheumatology, Clinical Immunology Department, Peking University First Hospital, 100034 Beijing, China
| | - Juan Zhao
- Rheumatology, Clinical Immunology Department, Peking University First Hospital, 100034 Beijing, China
| | - Wenhui Xie
- Rheumatology, Clinical Immunology Department, Peking University First Hospital, 100034 Beijing, China
| | - Hong Huang
- Rheumatology, Clinical Immunology Department, Peking University First Hospital, 100034 Beijing, China
| | - Zhuoli Zhang
- Rheumatology, Clinical Immunology Department, Peking University First Hospital, 100034 Beijing, China.
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Xie W, Huang H, Zhang Z. Prediction of flare following glucocorticoids withdrawal in rheumatoid arthritis patients with continuation of csDMARDs: a real-life study. Intern Emerg Med 2023; 18:1759-1767. [PMID: 37418144 DOI: 10.1007/s11739-023-03362-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the risk factors for flare after glucocorticoids (GC) withdrawal in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with undergoing conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (csDMARDs). METHODS RA patients who discontinued GC with continuation of csDMARD were selected from a longitudinal real-world cohort. Established RA was defined as disease duration over 12 months. Dissatisfied RA control was defined as the proportion of simplified disease activity index (SDAI)-based remission time to total time from GC initiation to discontinuation less than 50%. Logistic regression was used to analyze the independent risk factors for flare after GC discontinuation and results were expressed as odds ratio (OR). RESULTS There were 115 eligible RA patients discounted GC with continuation of csDMARDs (methotrexate: 80%; hydroxychloroquine: 61%; csDMARDs combination: 79%). Of these, 24 patients experienced flare after GC discontinuation. Compared with relapse-free patients, flare patients were more likely to have established RA (75% vs 49%, p = 0.025), higher median cumulative prednisolone dosages (3.3 vs 2.2 g, p = 0.004), and higher proportion of dissatisfied RA control during GC usage (66% vs 33%, p = 0.038). In multivariate analysis, significantly increased flare risk was predicted by established RA (OR 2.93 [1.02-8.43]), cumulative prednisolone dose > 2.5 g (OR 3.69 [1.34-10.19]) and dissatisfied RA control (OR 3.00 [1.09-8.30]). Flare risk was increased with increases in number of risk factors with highest OR of 11.56 in patients with three risk factors (p for trend = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS Flare following GC withdrawal is not common in RA patients with undergoing csDMARDs therapy. Established RA, higher cumulative GC dose and dissatisfied RA control before GC discontinuation are important factors associated with flare after GC withdrawal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhui Xie
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking University First Hospital, No. 8, Xishiku Street, West District, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Hong Huang
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking University First Hospital, No. 8, Xishiku Street, West District, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Zhuoli Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking University First Hospital, No. 8, Xishiku Street, West District, Beijing, 100034, China.
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Xie W, Huang H, Zhang Z. Dynamic Characteristics and Predictive Profile of Glucocorticoids Withdrawal in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Commencing Glucocorticoids with csDMARD: A Real-World Experience. Rheumatol Ther 2023; 10:405-419. [PMID: 36609980 PMCID: PMC10011229 DOI: 10.1007/s40744-022-00527-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Glucocorticoids (GC) are currently recommended as a bridging therapy in combination with conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (csDMARD) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and should be tapered as rapidly as clinically feasible. We aimed to explore potential predictors for GC discontinuation in patients commencing GC with concomitant csDMARD. METHODS We used data from a longitudinal real-world cohort. RA patients who newly started GC concomitantly with csDMARD were included. All patients were divided into four groups, according to degree of change in disease activity at 3 months from baseline (group 1: worsening or no decrease; group 2: 0-24.9% decrease; group 3: 25.0-49.9% decrease; group 4: ≥ 50.0% decrease). Cox regression was used to estimate hazard risk (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS In total, 124 out of 207 RA patients discontinued GC at the rheumatologist's discretion and 79.1% (91/115) of them successfully stopping GC without flare within 6 months after GC withdrawal. Increasing age (HR 0.99, 95% CI 0.98-1.00, p = 0.043) and concomitant nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use at GC initiation (HR 0.47, 95% CI 0.25-0.88, p = 0.018) were independently associated with GC withdrawal failure. Moreover, the degrees of disease activity improvement at 3 months significantly predicted the possibility of subsequent GC discontinuation (fully adjusted HR 1.35-1.47, p < 0.01), with 2.38-3.59 times higher in group 4 than group 1. Switching the outcome to successfully stopping GC without short-term flare yielded similar findings. CONCLUSIONS The degrees of disease activity improvement at 3 months independently predicted the subsequent GC withdrawal. These findings suggest the importance of dynamic treatment strategies with a closer look at disease activity during GC tapering and discontinuation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhui Xie
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking University First Hospital, No. 8, Xishiku Street, West District, Beijing, 100034 China
| | - Hong Huang
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking University First Hospital, No. 8, Xishiku Street, West District, Beijing, 100034 China
| | - Zhuoli Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking University First Hospital, No. 8, Xishiku Street, West District, Beijing, 100034 China
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Al-Saleh J, Almarzooqi A, Negm AA. Prevalence and Predictors of Remission and Sustained Remission in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis from the United Arab Emirates: A Two-Year Prospective Study. Open Access Rheumatol 2023; 15:51-63. [PMID: 37192954 PMCID: PMC10183195 DOI: 10.2147/oarrr.s408894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim To estimate the prevalence of remission and sustained remission for more than 12 months in a cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis in the United Arab Emirates and explore predictors of remission and sustained remission in these patients. Methods A two-year prospective study conducted in Dubai Hospital (January 1, 2018-December 31, 2019) included all consecutive patients with rheumatoid arthritis attending the rheumatology clinic. Patients with a Simplified Disease Activity Index ≤3.3 and/or Clinical Disease Activity Index ≤2.8 in December 2018 were considered in remission and followed until December 2019. Those who maintained remission through 2019 were considered in sustained remission. Results In this study, a total of 444 patients were followed for a 12-months period. The percentage of remission achieved in RA patients was 30.4% according to the Clinical Disease Activity Index, 31.1% according to Simplified Disease Activity Index, and 50.9% according to the Value of Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28) remission criteria. The 12-months sustained remission rates ranged from 38.3% for the ACR-EULAR to 69.3% for the DAS28. Male gender, shorter disease duration, better functioning as evaluated by the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (lower HAQ scores), and higher compliance rates are among sustained remission predictors. Conclusion Establishing "real-world" data and understanding local predictors to sustained remission is principal for implementing timely and appropriate patient-tailored strategies. These strategies include early detection, close monitoring, and enhancing treatment adherence among UAE patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamal Al-Saleh
- Rheumatology, Dubai Hospital, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Correspondence: Jamal Al-Saleh, Rheumatology, Dubai Hospital, Dubai Health Authority, P.O. 7272, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Tel +9714-219 5506, Fax +97142195788, Email
| | - Ahlam Almarzooqi
- Rheumatology, Al Qassimi Hospital, Emirates Health Services, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ahmed A Negm
- Rheumatology, Dubai Hospital, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Xie W, Huang H, Li G, Hao Y, Gui Y, Wang Y, Deng X, Zhao J, Geng Y, Ji L, Zhang X, Song Z, Zhang Z. Dynamical trajectory of glucocorticoids tapering and discontinuation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis commencing glucocorticoids with csDMARDs: a real-world data from 2009 to 2020. Ann Rheum Dis 2021; 80:997-1003. [PMID: 33811037 DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-220112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To unravel the dynamical trajectory and features of glucocorticoids (GC) tapering and discontinuation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) commencing GC with concomitant conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs). METHODS We used data from longitudinal real-world Treat-to-TARget in RA cohort. Patients with RA who started GC and contaminant csDMARDs therapy were included. The changes in GC dose and disease activity were evaluated. GC discontinuation rate was analysed using Kaplan-Meier analysis. The relapse profile within 6 months after GC discontinuation was also analysed. RESULTS A total of 207 patients with RA were included. During a median follow-up of 38.6 months, 124 patients discontinued GC. The median prednisolone dose of 10 (5-10) mg/day at initiation was reduced by 50% in the first 6 months and then more slowly, to zero by 48 months eventually. The cumulative probabilities of GC discontinuation were 9.7%, 26.6%, 48.0% and 58.6% at month 6, years 1, 2 and 3, with calculated median time to GC cessation of 27 months. In 110 DMARD-naïve patients, the corresponding cumulative probabilities of GC discontinuation were, respectively, 12.7%, 30.0%, 50.9% and 60.6%, with calculated median time to GC cessation of 24 months. Of the 124 patients who discontinued GC, adding other csDMARDs or concomitant csDMARDs increment was documented in 28.2% of them. Approximately half of 124 patients were in clinical remission at GC discontinuation. Within 6 months after GC withdrawal, 79.1% (91/115) of patients maintained relapse free. CONCLUSIONS In patients with RA commencing GC besides csDMARDs, GC is feasibly discontinued with favourable control of disease activity in real-life setting, mostly without short-term flare. But the withdrawal time is far from reaching the recommended time frame, indicating the gap between real-world practice and current guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhui Xie
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Hong Huang
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Guangtao Li
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yanjie Hao
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yanni Gui
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xuerong Deng
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Juan Zhao
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Geng
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - LanLan Ji
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaohui Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhibo Song
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhuoli Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
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Xie W, Li G, Huang H, Zhang Z. How to Define Boolean Low Disease Activity in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Experience from a Large Real-world Cohort. Rheumatol Ther 2020; 8:289-301. [PMID: 33355913 PMCID: PMC7991037 DOI: 10.1007/s40744-020-00270-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The aim of this work is to propose Boolean-defined low disease activity (LDA) and to test its utility in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods We used data from a longitudinal academic clinical database of RA in Peking University First Hospital over a decade. The initial proposal of Boolean-defined LDA was proposed with ascending thresholds from 2 to 5 in steps of 1 (referred to as Boolean-LDA2/3/4/5). Agreement and residual swollen joint count (SJC) pattern with the index-based [Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI) and Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI)] LDA was analyzed. To confirm discovery, we randomly classified RA patients in a 3:2 ratio into either analysis cohort or validation cohort. Results In total, 4881 visits of 672 patients were included in the analysis cohort. Of these visits, the frequencies of achieving LDA were 71.9% (SDAI), 73.6% (CDAI), 52.8% (Boolean-LDA2), 65.2% (Boolean-LDA3), 73.5% (Boolean-LDA4), and 80.7% (Boolean-LDA5). High consistency and similar SJC pattern with SDAI-LDA or CDAI-LDA were observed in Boolean-LDA3 (kappa = 0.796, 0.771). Further analysis found meeting SDAI-LDA but not Boolean-LDA3 was largely attributable to higher patient’s global assessment (PGA) scores (62.9%). In further modification of Boolean-LDA3, better agreement with SDAI-LDA or CDAI-LDA was reached when exclusively increasing PGA cutoffs to 4.0, 4.5 or replacing PGA by evaluator’s global assessment (EGA) with cutoff to 3.0. These findings were further replicated in randomly generated validation cohort of 449 patients with 3306 clinic visits. Conclusions Using cutoff of 3 to Boolean-LDA provides great clinical utility with index-based LDA, especially when exclusively increasing PGA cutoffs to 4.0, 4.5 or replacing PGA by EGA with cutoffs to 3.0. This may deserve being considered in clinical practice. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40744-020-00270-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhui Xie
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking University First Hospital, No. 8, Xishiku Street, West District, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Guangtao Li
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking University First Hospital, No. 8, Xishiku Street, West District, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Hong Huang
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking University First Hospital, No. 8, Xishiku Street, West District, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Zhuoli Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking University First Hospital, No. 8, Xishiku Street, West District, Beijing, 100034, China.
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Murata K, Ito H, Hashimoto M, Murakami K, Watanabe R, Tanaka M, Yamamoto W, Matsuda S. Fluctuation in anti-cyclic citrullinated protein antibody level predicts relapse from remission in rheumatoid arthritis: KURAMA cohort. Arthritis Res Ther 2020; 22:268. [PMID: 33183344 PMCID: PMC7664066 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-020-02366-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The positivity of anti-citrullinated protein/peptide antibodies (ACPAs) is a clinically useful diagnostic and prognostic marker in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the significance of ACPA titer and its fluctuation remain unclear. This study aimed to assess the role of ACPA titer and its fluctuation on disease activity and the prognosis of RA. Methods Data obtained from the Kyoto University Rheumatoid Arthritis Management Alliance (KURAMA) cohort was analyzed. Patients whose ACPA was measured at least twice between 2011 and 2019 and whose ACPA was positive at least once were included in this study. The association between the clinical variable and ACPA titer or its change was investigated. Results ACPA titer was measured in a total of 3286 patients, 1806 of whom were ACPA-positive at least once. Among them, the ACPA titer level was measured more than once in 1355 patients. Very weak correlation was observed between the ACPA titer level and disease activity. Additionally, there was no trend in the fluctuation of ACPA titer level in each patient; ACPA titer level fluctuated in some patients, but not in others. Patients with high variable levels of ACPA titer were more likely to relapse from remission. In the analysis of two consecutive ACPA measurements, the titer changes predicted the relapse from remission within a year of the second measurement. Conclusions The ACPA titer level fluctuated in some patients. Very weak correlation was observed between the ACPA titer level and disease activity. Fluctuation in ACPA titer level predicted relapse from remission in patients with RA. Supplementary information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13075-020-02366-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koichi Murata
- Department of Advanced Medicine for Rheumatic Diseases, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, 54 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan. .,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Sakyo, Kyoto, Japan.
| | - Hiromu Ito
- Department of Advanced Medicine for Rheumatic Diseases, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, 54 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Sakyo, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Motomu Hashimoto
- Department of Advanced Medicine for Rheumatic Diseases, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, 54 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Kosaku Murakami
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Sakyo, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ryu Watanabe
- Department of Advanced Medicine for Rheumatic Diseases, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, 54 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Masao Tanaka
- Department of Advanced Medicine for Rheumatic Diseases, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, 54 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Wataru Yamamoto
- Department of Advanced Medicine for Rheumatic Diseases, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, 54 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan.,Department of Health Information Management, Kurashiki Sweet Hospital, Nakasho, Kurashiki, Japan
| | - Shuichi Matsuda
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Sakyo, Kyoto, Japan
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The impact of different criteria sets on early remission and identifying its predictors in rheumatoid arthritis: results from an observational cohort (2009–2018). Clin Rheumatol 2019; 39:381-389. [DOI: 10.1007/s10067-019-04807-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Revised: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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