A matrix risk model for the prediction of rapid radiographic progression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving different dynamic treatment strategies: post hoc analyses from the BeSt study

The universal presence of poor prognostic factors based on EULAR recommendations: A real-world study in 1164 Chinese RA patients

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.

Prevention of Radiographic Progression in Higher-Risk Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis Using Filgotinib in Phase III Studies: Narrative Review of Post Hoc Analyses

Filgotinib is an oral preferential Janus kinase 1 inhibitor that demonstrated significant reductions in radiographic progression, with an acceptable tolerability and safety profile, vs placebo in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and an inadequate response to methotrexate (MTX-IR; FINCH 1) and vs MTX in MTX-naïve patients with RA (FINCH 3). International treatment guidelines identify multiple poor prognostic factors (PPFs) associated with worse disease outcomes among patients with RA. However, questions remain both about the clinical utility of considering PPFs and about which PPFs should drive treatment decisions. Additionally, the role of radiographic findings in clinical practice continues to be discussed and to evolve. This review examines radiographic results from post hoc analyses of phase 3 trials of filgotinib that examined subgroups with 4 PPFs or with baseline estimated rapid radiographic progression (e-RRP). In MTX groups, there were trends toward greater progression among patients with 4 PPFs or e-RRP, suggesting these subgroups may comprise a higher-risk population. Results show general consistency for the efficacy of filgotinib 200 mg plus MTX vs placebo plus MTX/MTX monotherapy on radiographic assessments, including change from baseline in modified total Sharp score and proportions without radiographic progression, even among MTX-IR or MTX-naïve patients with 4 PPFs or e-RRP who may be at higher risk of bone damage. Multivariate analysis identified multiple factors associated with baseline e-RRP status. This summary of the current understanding of benefits associated with filgotinib on radiographic progression and the relevance of baseline factors to these benefits may help inform treatment decisions for patients facing high risk of radiographic progression.

Efficacy and Safety of Filgotinib in Patients with High Risk of Poor Prognosis Who Showed Inadequate Response to MTX: A Post Hoc Analysis of the FINCH 1 Study

INTRODUCTION

This exploratory analysis of FINCH 1 (NCT02889796) examined filgotinib (FIL) efficacy and safety in a subgroup of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and inadequate response to methotrexate (MTX; MTX-IR) who had four poor prognostic factors (PPFs).

METHODS

Patients with MTX-IR received placebo up to week (W)24 or FIL200 mg, FIL100 mg, or adalimumab up to W52; all received MTX. Efficacy and safety data were stratified by four PPFs versus fewer than four PPFs: seropositivity, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) ≥ 6 mg/L, Disease Activity Score in 28 joints with CRP > 5.1, and erosions on X-rays.

RESULTS

At baseline, 687/1755 patients had four PPFs. At W12, whether with four PPFs or fewer than four PPFs, response rates on all American College of Rheumatology (ACR) measures were significantly greater with FIL200 and FIL100 versus placebo. At W52, FIL200 ACR20/50/70 response rates remained at least numerically higher versus adalimumab in both subgroups. At W52, FIL200 reduced modified total Sharp score (mTSS) change versus adalimumab in patients with four or fewer than four PPFs.

CONCLUSIONS

In high-risk (four PPFs) patients with MTX-IR RA, FIL200 and FIL100 showed similar reductions in disease activity versus placebo at W12 as in patients with fewer than four PPFs. mTSS in patients receiving FIL200 changed little from W24 to W52, while that in patients receiving FIL100 progressed comparably to patients who received adalimumab. Tolerability was comparable across treatment arms and subgroups.

Bone resorption during therapy with denosumab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, positive for the main immunological markers

Objective. Inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) leads to the development of local and generalized bone loss. Rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (ACCP) are believed to play a negative role in the radiological progression of RA. The use of such antiresorptive therapy as denosumab – monoclonal antibodies to RANKL (receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand), reduces the activity of osteoclasts, increases bone mineral density (BMD), and also potentially affects the erosive process at RA. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of denosumab therapy on BMD and erosion count in patients with RA and osteoporosis (OP) in consideration of the positivity in the RF and ACCP in serum and the baseline RA activity. Materials and methods. The 12-month prospective study of the efficacy of denosumab therapy (60 mg subcutaneously every 6 months) in patients with RA and OP included 66 postmenopausal women; age – 59.4±7.5 years, duration of RA – 17.8±10.6 years, RF-positive – 47 (72%) patients, ACCP-positive – 48 (74%) patients. At baseline and after 12 months, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was performed with an assessment of BMD in the lumbar spine (L1– L4), proximal femur (hip neck and total hip), distal forearm; X-ray of the hands and distal parts of the feet in direct projection, followed by assessment of erosive-destructive changes according to the Sharp/van der Heijde method. Results. A significant increase in BMD was established in all studied sites of the skeleton despite the positivity of the RF and ACCP (for the hip neck p=0.05), while a significant increase in BMD in the RF- and ACCP-negative group was detected only in L1–L4 site. The progression of the increase in erosion count was noted in the RF- and ACCP-positive group while in the RF- and ACCP-negative group this indicator did not change. Regardless of the baseline activity of RA (by DAS28 (Disease Activity Score 28)) the BMD of most parts of the skeleton were stabilized. In patients with moderate RA activity, BMD increased significantly in L1–L4 in both groups: RF- and ACCP-positive and -negative , as well as in the total hip – in RF- and ACCP-positive group. The dynamics of the erosion count in RA patients did not depend on the baseline degree of DAS28 activity, no significant changes were detected in the analyzed groups. Conclusions. RF and ACCP positivity in serum in patients with RA and OP treated with denosumab did not have a negative effect on the dynamics of BMD, while the number of erosions increased. The baseline RA activity level did not affect the dynamics of the erosion count and the dynamics of BMD in most subgroups – BMD levels have been increased or stabilized.

Comparison of the inhibitory effect of tocilizumab and etanercept on the progression of joint erosion in rheumatoid arthritis treatment

We compared the efficacy of tocilizumab and etanercept in inhibiting radiographic progression of joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis. Overall, 187 patients treated with etanercept or tocilizumab were selected. To adjust for baseline patient characteristics between the tocilizumab and etanercept treatment groups, a propensity score matching was performed. Radiographic progression of joint destruction was compared between patients treated with tocilizumab or etanercept. Clinical disease activity index (CDAI) and modified health assessment questionnaire (mHAQ) scores at the administration of biologic treatment and after 12 months of tocilizumab and etanercept therapy were measured and compared to radiographical parameters between the groups. Levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), CDAI, and mHAQ scores improved after 12 months of treatment in the two groups. Proportion of patients with no Sharp erosion score progression was significantly higher with tocilizumab treatment than with etanercept treatment (p = 0.032). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that Sharp erosion score was significantly associated with baseline CDAI (odds ratio, 1.05; 95% confidence interval, 1.003-1.099, p = 0.037). Tocilizumab treatment suppressed joint erosion progression compared to etanercept, and the progression correlated with baseline CDAI.

The Role of Autoantibody Testing in Modern Personalized Medicine

Personalized medicine (PM) aims individualized approach to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Precision Medicine applies the paradigm of PM by defining groups of individuals with akin characteristics. Often the two terms have been used interchangeably. The quest for PM has been advancing for centuries as traditional nosology classification defines groups of clinical conditions with relatively similar prognoses and treatment options. However, any individual is characterized by a unique set of multiple characteristics and therefore the achievement of PM implies the determination of myriad demographic, epidemiological, clinical, laboratory, and imaging parameters. The accelerated identification of numerous biological variables associated with diverse health conditions contributes to the fulfillment of one of the pre-requisites for PM. The advent of multiplex analytical platforms contributes to the determination of thousands of biological parameters using minute amounts of serum or other biological matrixes. Finally, big data analysis and machine learning contribute to the processing and integration of the multiplexed data at the individual level, allowing for the personalized definition of susceptibility, diagnosis, prognosis, prevention, and treatment. Autoantibodies are traditional biomarkers for autoimmune diseases and can contribute to PM in many aspects, including identification of individuals at risk, early diagnosis, disease sub-phenotyping, definition of prognosis, and treatment, as well as monitoring disease activity. Herein we address how autoantibodies can promote PM in autoimmune diseases using the examples of systemic lupus erythematosus, antiphospholipid syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren syndrome, systemic sclerosis, idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, and autoimmune neurologic diseases.

Predictors of flare in rheumatoid arthritis patients with persistent clinical remission/low disease activity: Data from the TARAC cohort

To identify predictors of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity flare in RA patients who achieved low disease activity (LDA) or persistent remission from the observational Thai Army Rheumatoid Arthritis Cohort study. RA patients with persistent clinical remission, defined by disease activity score 28 (DAS28) < 2.6 and LDA defined by DAS28 ≤ 3.2 for 3 consecutive months, were recruited and followed-up for at least 2 years. The flare was defined by an escalation of DAS28 ≥ 1.2 plus their physicians' decision to enhance RA treatment. Differences between sustained remission/LDA and flare groups were analyzed, by Chi-square test and unpaired Student t test. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was conducted to determine flare predictors. From 199 RA patients, female were 82.9%. Anticitrullinated peptide antibodies (ACPA) or Rheumatoid factor (RF) were found in 69.8% of patients. Flares occurred in 69 patients (34.9%). Multivariate analysis found that the timescale from symptoms emergence to DMARD commencement, the timescale from DMARD commencement to when RA patients showed remission/LDA, the occurrence of RF or ACPA, LDA (in contrast to remission) and the increased DAS28 score when remission/LDA was achieved and tapering DMARDs promptly when persistent remission/LDA was achieved were predictors of RA flares with hazard ratios of (95% confidence interval [CI]) of 1.017 (1.003-1.030), 1.037 (1.015-1.059), 1.949 (1.035-3.676), 1.926 (0.811-4.566), 2.589 (1.355-4.947), and 2.497 (1.458-4.276), respectively. These data demonstrated that early and aggressive DMARDs treatment approach could maintain remission espcially in seropositive patients. Tapering should be applied minimally 6 months after reaching remission.

Increasing trend of radiographic features of knee osteoarthritis in rheumatoid arthritis patients before total knee arthroplasty

To investigate the trend and factors related to the occurrence of osteoarthritis (OA)-like features on knee radiographs of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in the recent decades. To classify antero-posterior knee radiographs into 'RA' and 'OA-like RA' groups, a deep learning model was developed by training the network using knee radiographs of end-stage arthropathy in RA patients obtained during 2002-2005 and in primary OA patients obtained during 2007-2009. We used this model to categorize 796 knee radiographs, which were recorded in RA patients before TKA during 2006-2020, into 'OA-like RA' and 'RA' groups. The annual ratio of 'OA-like RA' was investigated. Moreover, univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the factors associated with the classification as OA-like RA using clinical data from 240 patients. The percentage of 'OA-like RA' had significant increasing trend from 20.9% in 2006 to 67.7% in 2020. Higher body mass index, use of biologics, and lower level of C-reactive protein were identified as independent factors for 'OA-like RA'. An increasing trend of knee radiographs with OA-like features was observed in RA patients in the recent decades, which might be attributed to recent advances in pharmacotherapy.

Polygenic risk scores are associated with radiographic progression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether polygenic risk score (PRS) using data from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) susceptibility can be a predictor for radiographic progression.

METHODS

We constructed the PRS using GWAS summary data for disease susceptibility to predict Sharp/van der Heijde score (SHS) changes in first five years from the onset (the top quartile of SHS changes was defined as severe progression and the remaining as non-severe progression). We selected the best model in a training set (n = 500) and validated it in a testing set (n = 740). We evaluated the performance of PRS in univariable and multivariable analyses with other factors to predict severe progression.

RESULTS

PRS constructed of 43,784 SNPs significantly differed between severe and non-severe progression in both training (P = 0.0064) and testing sets (P = 0.017). The patients with the top quintile PRS had a higher risk for severe progression compared to those with the bottom quintile (odds ratio (OR) 1.90, P = 0.0022), which was higher when restricted to younger-onset patients (OR 5.06, P = 0.00038). The top quintile PRS and ACPAs positive groups had significantly higher proportion of patients with severe progression compared to the remaining groups (P = 0.00052, and 0.0022, respectively). Multivariable analysis showed that PRS (P = 0.00019) as well as sex (female) (P = 0.0033), ACPAs (P = 0.0023), and BMI (P = 0.031) were independent risk factors.

CONCLUSION

PRS using GWAS data for RA susceptibility is associated with radiographic progression.

Impact of denosumab discontinuation on changes in bone mineral density and bone erosion in rheumatoid arthritis patients

OBJECTIVES

This study investigated changes in bone mineral density (BMD) and erosion after denosumab discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients without osteoporosis who participated in the DESIRABLE study.

METHODS

This multicentre observational study consisted of a prediscontinuation visit (date of final assessment in DESIRABLE) and a postdiscontinuation visit (2.5 years after the last administered dose of denosumab). Percentage change in lumbar spine (LS) BMD from baseline was assessed as the primary endpoint.

RESULTS

Fifty-nine patients were enrolled. The percentage change in LS BMD decreased to baseline levels at the postdiscontinuation visit. Compared with baseline, C-telopeptide of type I collagen levels increased after denosumab discontinuation but most patients had levels within the reference range. Bone erosion scores were not significantly different between the on-treatment period and after denosumab discontinuation (p = .0666) but there was a numerical increase postdiscontinuation. The progression in bone erosion score was significantly reduced in patients whose disease activity was in remission versus those not in remission (p = .0195).

CONCLUSIONS

In RA patients without osteoporosis, denosumab discontinuation can be explored while considering patient background factors (disease activity and risk of fracture) and accounting for progression of bone erosion and LS BMD decrease after withdrawal.

Trajectory clusters of radiographic progression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: associations with clinical variables

OBJECTIVES

Identification of trajectories of radiographic damage in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by clustering patients according to the shape of their curve of Sharp-van der Heijde scores (SHSs) over time. Developing models to predict their progression cluster from baseline characteristics.

METHODS

Patient-level data over a 2-year period from five large randomised controlled trials on tumour necrosis factor inhibitors in RA were used. SHSs were clustered in a shape-respecting manner to identify distinct clusters of radiographic progression. Characteristics of patients within different progression clusters were compared at baseline and over time. Logistic regression models were developed to predict trajectory of radiographic progression using information at baseline.

RESULTS

In total, 1887 patients with 7738 X-rays were used for cluster analyses. We identified four distinct clusters with characteristic shapes of radiographic progression: one with a stable SHS over the whole 2-year period (C0/lowChange; 86%); one with relentless progression (C1/rise; 5.8%); one with decreasing SHS (C2/improvement; 6.9%); one going up and down (C3/bothWays; 1.4%) of the SHS. Robustness of clusters were confirmed using different clustering methods. Regression models identified disease duration, baseline C-reactive protein (CRP) and SHS and treatment status as predictors for cluster assignment.

CONCLUSIONS

We were able to identify and partly characterise four different clusters of radiographic progression over time in patients with RA, most remarkably one with relentless progression and another one with amelioration of joint damage over time, suggesting the existence of distinct patterns of joint damage accrual in RA.

Efficacy and safety of filgotinib in methotrexate-naive patients with rheumatoid arthritis with poor prognostic factors: post hoc analysis of FINCH 3

OBJECTIVE

This analysis evaluated efficacy and safety of filgotinib, a Janus-associated kinase 1-preferential inhibitor, in methotrexate (MTX)-naive patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with multiple poor prognostic factors (PPFs).

METHODS

This was a post hoc analysis of the phase III, randomised, double-blind, active-controlled, FINCH 3 study (clinicaltrials.gov NCT02886728). Patients received once-daily oral filgotinib 200 or 100 mg plus once-weekly oral MTX ≤20 mg (FIL200 + MTX and FIL100 + MTX), filgotinib 200 mg monotherapy (FIL200), or oral MTX monotherapy (MTX-mono) for up to 52 weeks. PPFs investigated were seropositivity for rheumatoid factor or anticyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies, high-sensitivity C reactive protein (CRP) ≥4 mg/L, Disease Activity Score in 28 joints with CRP (DAS28(CRP)) >5.1, and presence of erosions. Filgotinib efficacy and safety in patients with all four PPFs at baseline were explored versus MTX-mono within this subgroup and compared informally with the overall population.

RESULTS

Of 1249 patients in FINCH 3, 510 (40.8%) had all PPFs. Efficacy of FIL200 + MTX among these patients was comparable to the overall population, with higher rates of 20%/50%/70% improvement from baseline by American College of Rheumatology criteria, DAS28(CRP) <2.6, and remission; greater improvement in physical function and pain; and better inhibition of structural damage relative to MTX-mono. FIL100 + MTX and FIL200 were not consistently more efficacious versus MTX-mono. Safety of filgotinib in patients with PPFs was comparable to the overall population; no new safety signals were observed.

CONCLUSION

FIL200 + MTX efficacy and safety in patients with multiple PPFs were similar to the overall population.

Comparison of healthcare resource utilization and medical costs between patients with seropositive and seronegative rheumatoid arthritis

Objectives:

To compare healthcare utilization and medical costs between patients with seronegative (SN) and seropositive (SP) rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods:

We conducted a nationwide population study using the Korean health insurance claims database in 2016. We divided patients with RA into SN and SP groups and compared healthcare utilization including medications, medical utilization, and direct medical costs for 1 year between the groups in a cross-sectional analysis. Differences in costs between patients with SPRA and SNRA were assessed using the quantile regression model. We performed longitudinal analysis using data from 2012 and 2016 to examine changes over time.

Results:

A total of 103,815 SPRA and 75,809 SNRA patients were included in the analyses. The SPRA group used significantly more methotrexate (73.2% versus 30.3%) and biologic agents (7.9% versus 2.9%) than the SNRA group. The number of RA-related outpatient visits [6.0 ± 3.7 versus 4.4 ± 4.0 times/year, standardized difference (SD) = 0.41] and annual medical costs per patient ($1027 versus $450/year, SD = 0.25) were higher in the SPRA group than the SNRA group. Quantile regression results indicated that the incremental cost of seropositivity on total medical costs of RA patients gradually increased as medical costs approached the upper quantile. The annual direct medical costs for each patient between 2012 and 2016 increased in both groups: by 25.1% in the SPRA group and 37.6% in the SNRA group.

Conclusion:

Annual RA-related direct medical costs and RA-related healthcare utilization per patient are higher in patients with SPRA than those with SNRA.

Early radiological progression remains associated with long-term joint damage in real-world rheumatoid arthritis patients treated to the target of remission

Objective: To evaluate radiological damage and to explore characteristics associated with radiological progression in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated to the target of remission in a real-world setting.Method: Baseline to 6 year follow-up data were used from an observational early RA cohort. Radiographs of hands and feet at baseline, 6 months, and 1, 3, and 6 years were scored using the modified Sharp/van der Heijde score (SHS). The threshold for rapid radiological progression (RRP) after 6 months was based on the calculated smallest detectable change of 3.95. Negative binomial generalized linear mixed model and logistic regression analyses were performed to examine which variables were associated with RRP and 6 year radiological progression.Results: Most radiological damage occurred in the first year of treatment [median 2.0 interquartile range (IQR) 1.0-4.0 SHS points] compared to the subsequent 5 years of follow-up (median 3.0 IQR 1.0-5.0 SHS points). While low disease activity was achieved within 6 months on average, 18.8% of the patients developed RRP. Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) positivity [incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.42, p = 0.03], baseline erosive disease (IRR 1.60, p = 0.02), and RRP (IRR 3.28, p < 0.001) were associated with 6 year radiological progression. Erosive disease was the strongest predictor of RRP (odds ratio 8.8, p < 0.001).Conclusion: Long-term radiological outcome is limited in most real-world RA patients treated to the target of remission, but RRP still occurs. Anti-CCP positivity, baseline erosive disease, and RRP remain associated with long-term radiological outcome.

Identifying the preferable rheumatoid arthritis subgroups for intervention with the anti-RANKL antibody denosumab to reduce progression of joint destruction

OBJECTIVES

To clarify which rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients benefit most from the anti-receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand antibody denosumab to reduce the progression of joint destruction.

METHODS

We pooled patient data from the 12-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled DRIVE (phase II) and DESIRABLE (phase III) studies. In DRIVE, concomitant treatment was limited to methotrexate, salazosulfapyridine and bucillamine. In DESIRABLE, patients could receive any disease-modifying antirheumatic drug. RA patients were randomised to denosumab 60 mg every 6 months (Q6M), every 3 months (Q3M) or placebo. Efficacy was assessed by van der Heijde-modified total Sharp score (mTSS), bone erosion score (ES) and joint space narrowing score (JSNS). Change in mTSS was assessed in subgroups stratified by risk factors for radiographic damage if the interaction factor was significant.

RESULTS

The pooled analysis included 909 patients. Denosumab reduced worsening of mTSS (mean (SD)) at 12 months in the Q6M (0.88 (3.30), p=0.0024) and Q3M (0.66 (2.16), p=0.0002) groups versus placebo (1.50 (3.73)). This reduction in mTSS progression was due to the change in ES (Q6M, 0.44 (1.89), p=0.0006; Q3M, 0.20 (0.86), p<0.0001) versus placebo (0.98 (2.54)); no effect was observed on JSNS. Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibodies, glucocorticoid use and baseline ES showed a significant interaction. Denosumab was particularly effective in patients who were anti-CCP antibody positive (p<0.05). Changes in mTSS versus placebo were observed in all denosumab dose groups, regardless of glucocorticoid use and baseline ES.

CONCLUSIONS

Denosumab broadly reduced the progression of joint destruction in RA patients with risk factors for radiographic damage such as especially anti-CCP antibody positivity.

Impending radiographic erosive progression over the following year in a cohort of consecutive patients with inflammatory polyarthritis: prediction by serum biomarkers

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

To evaluate biomarkers as predictors of impending erosion progression.

METHODS

Variables were measured at baseline and annually up to 5 years in patients with recent-onset polyarthritis treated to zero swollen joints. Erosive status was defined as ≥5 Units in Sharp/van der Heijde Erosion Score; Rapid Erosive Progression (REP) was defined as an increase ≥5 Units in Erosion Scores between consecutive visits. Generalised estimating equations (GEEs) evaluated the effect on REP of positive anticyclic citrullinated peptides (ACPAs) and/or rheumatoid factor (RF), C-reactive protein ˃8.0 mg/L (High-CRP) and 14-3-3η protein ≥0.50 ng/mL (High-14-3-3η), alone and in combinations.

RESULTS

Out of 2155 evaluations in 749 consecutive patients, REP occurred after 186 (8.6%) visits, including 13 (2.2%) in patients recruited since 2010. Only 18/537 (3.4%; 6/411 (1.5%) in non-erosive vs 12/126 (9.5%) in patients already erosive) visits without any positive biomarker were followed by REP; at least one biomarker was positive prior to REP in 168/186 (90.3%) visits. Being positive for all four biomarkers conferred a positive predictive value (PPV) of 30.0% (RR 21.8) in patients non-erosive at the visit versus 35.5% (RR 3.07) in those already erosive. High-14-3-3η increased REP only in visits with High-CRP (eg, RR 2.5 to 3.9 when ACPA also positive) and in patients with non-erosive status (eg, RR from 4.3 to 9.4 when also High-CRP).

CONCLUSIONS

Adding High-14-3-3η to positive antibodies and CRP improves prediction of impending REP. Although REP is becoming rarer, signatures of biomarkers might help to adapt treatment strategies in at-risk individuals, even those already erosive.

Assessing the risk of rapid radiographic progression in Hungarian rheumatoid arthritis patients

Background

The outcome of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) should be determined early. Rapid radiological progression (RRP) is > or = 5 units increase according to the van der Heijde-Sharp score within a year. The risk of RRP can be estimated by a matrix model using non-radiographic indicators, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF) and swollen joint count (SJC).

Patients and methods

A non-interventional, cross-sectional, retrospective study was conducted in eleven Hungarian arthritis centres. We assessed RRP risk in biologic-naïve RA patients with the prevalence of high RRP risk as primary endpoint. RRP was calculated according to this matrix model. As a secondary endpoint, we compared RRP in methotrexate (MTX) responders vs non-responders.

Results

We analyzed data from 1356 patients. Mean CRP was 17.7 mg/l, RF was 139.3 IU/ml, mean 28-joint disease activity score (DAS28) was 5.00 and mean SJC was 6.56. Altogether 18.2% of patients had high risk (≥40%) of RRP. RA patients with high RRP risk of RRP (n = 247) had significantly lower age compared to those with RRP < 40% (n = 1109). MTX non-response (OR: 16.84), male gender (OR: 1.67), erosions at baseline (OR: 1.50) and ACPA seropositivity (OR: 2.18) were independent predictors of high-risk RRP. Male gender (OR: 5.20), ACPA seropositivity (OR: 4.67) and erosions (OR: 7.98) were independent predictors of high RRP risk in MTX responders.

Conclusions

In this Hungarian study, high RRP risk occurred in 18% of RA patients. These patients differ from others in various parameters. RRP was associated with non-response to MTX.

Update on the treatment of nonsystemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis including treatment-to-target: is (drug-free) inactive disease already possible?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review concerns the outcome for nonsystemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) with emphasis on treatment-to-target (T2T) and treatment strategies aiming at inactive disease by giving an overview of recent articles.

RECENT FINDINGS

More efficacious therapies and treatment strategies/T2T with inactive disease as target, have improved the outcome for JIA significantly. Recent studies regarding treatment strategies have shown 47-68% inactive disease after 1 year. Moreover, probability of attaining inactive disease at least once in the first year seems even higher in recent cohort-studies, reaching 80%, although these studies included relatively high numbers of oligoarticular JIA patients. However, 26-76% of patients flare upon therapy withdrawal and prediction of flares is still difficult.

SUMMARY

Remission can be achieved and sustained in (some) JIA patients, regardless of initial treatment. Cornerstone principles in the management of nonsystemic JIA treatment are early start of DMARD therapy, striving for inactive disease and T2T by close and repeated monitoring of disease activity. T2T and tight control appear to be more important than a specific drug in JIA. Next to inactive disease, it is important that patients/parents are involved in personal targets, like reduction of pain and fatigue. Future studies should focus on predictors (based on imaging-methods or biomarkers) for sustained drug-free remission and flare.

Influence of prognosis factors on the prescription of targeted treatments in rheumatoid arthritis: A Delphi survey

OBJECTIVES

To explore current evidence on the management of poor prognostic factors in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to investigate whether this evidence is taken into account by clinicians when deciding on treatment in daily clinical practice.

METHODS

We performed a systematic literature review (SLR) to analyse the effects of currently available biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) and Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) on the classically accepted poor prognostic factors of RA. All randomized controlled trials reporting subgroup analyses about effects on prognostic factors were identified and synthesized. In a second phase, a two-round Delphi survey was carried out to contrast the SLR results with the grade of agreement of a large group of rheumatologists about the effectiveness of each drug class on each prognostic factor.

RESULTS

According to the Delphi results, the only prognostic factor that significantly influenced the selection of treatment was the presence of interstitial lung disease (ILD), being the preferred treatment in this scenario abatacept or rituximab. The rest of the poor prognostic factors (including high disease activity at baseline, disability as measured by the Health Assessment Questionnaire index, seropositivity, elevated acute-phase reactants, and evidence of erosions based on plain radiography or ultrasonography) did not seem to significantly influence rheumatologists when choosing a treatment. The results of the SLR results did not show solid evidence regarding the use of any specific therapy in the management of patients with specific poor factors, except in the case of RA-ILD, although the data in the literature in this regard are not free of bias.

CONCLUSIONS

The only prognostic factor that seems to significantly influence the selection of treatment is the presence of RA-ILD.

2018 Chinese Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

A multidisciplinary guideline development group was established to formulate this evidence-based diagnosis and treatment guidelines for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in China. The grading of recommendations, assessment, development, and evaluation (GRADE) system was used to rate the quality of the evidence and the strength of recommendations, which were derived from research articles and guided by the analysis of the benefits and harms as well as patients' values and preferences. A total of 10 recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of RA were developed. This new guideline covered the classification criteria, disease activity assessment and monitoring, and the role of disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), biologics, small molecule synthetic targeting drugs, and glucocorticoids in the treat-to-target approach of RA. This guideline is intended to serve as a tool for clinicians and patients to implement decision-making strategies and improve the practices of RA management in China.

Good response to methotrexate is associated with a decrease in the gene expression of ABCG2, a drug transporter, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVES

Methotrexate (MTX) is used as an anchor drug in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), although more than a half of the patients with RA require additional treatments. We designed a prospective study involving two medical centers in Japan to examine the association between the expression of MTX-related genes including a drug transporter ATP-binding cassette sub-family G member 2 (ABCG2) gene and the clinical response to MTX in MTX-naive patients with RA.

METHODS

The primary endpoint of this study was good response based on the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) response criteria by Disease Activity Score using 28-joint count (DAS28). We evaluated the association between the baseline expression of six genes involved in the intracellular pharmacokinetics of MTX, including ABCG2, as well as their temporal changes, and the clinical response at week 12 from the initiation of MTX.

RESULTS

Based on the clinical response at 12 weeks after the initiation of MTX, 24 patients were classified into good responders (n = 9) and non-good responders (n = 15; 10 moderate responders and 5 non-responders) groups. A univariate logistic regression analysis of the baseline gene expression levels to predict the EULAR good response at week 12 showed a significant association with ABCG2 expression alone. Furthermore, the rate of baseline expression of ABCG2 mRNA above the cut-off value determined using a receiver operating characteristic curve was higher in good responders than in non-good responders (p = .012). Moreover, ABCG2 expression decreased in almost all good responders, but not in non-good responders, after MTX treatment for 12 weeks (median -76% vs. +41% from baseline, respectively; p = .011). The ABCG2 expression level did not correlate with DAS28 at baseline or week 12.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study revealed that good response to MTX is associated with a decrease in the expression of ABCG2 in patients with RA.

Bone erosion in the 2nd metacarpophalangeal head: association with its bone mineral density by HR-pQCT in rheumatoid arthritis patients

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease depicted by synovial inflammation leading to local and systemic bone loss. The aim of this study was to evaluate by a HR-pQCT (High Resolution Peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography) study which parameters are associated with volume of bone erosions including bone mineral density (BMD) around erosions (VOI 1 to 4 = volume of interest), BMD of metacarpophalangeal (MCP) head, BMD of radius, presence of osteophytes and joint space width (JSW).

Methods

Fifty female RA patients (18–50 years) were enrolled in this study. Demographic and disease-specific data, laboratory inflammatory parameters and handgrip test were performed. All patients underwent HR-pQCT of 2nd and 3rd MCP joints and distal radius, according to established protocols. The volume of bone erosions was evaluated by MIAF (Medical Image Analysis Framework) software. Osteophytes were analyzed by manual method.

Results

The mean of age and disease duration were 40.0 ± 6.0 yrs. and 10.8 ± 4.8 yrs., respectively. According to DAS-28 (Disease Activity Score), 54% (27) of the sample were in remission. However, when SDAI (Simplified Disease Activity Index) was used, only 18% (9) were under remission. The mean of HAQ (Health Assessment Questionnaire), ESR (Erythrocyte sedimentation rate) and CRP (C reactive protein) were 0.9 ± 0.7, 13.9 ± 12.2 mm and 5.6 ± 7.5 mg/mL, respectively. Forty-six bone erosions (0.9 ± 1.2 erosion/patient) and 14 osteophytes (0.3 ± 0.7 osteophyte/patient) were found in 2nd MCP head. The median (IQR-Interquartile range) of volume of erosion and volume of osteophytes were 14.9 (5.7;35.9)mm³ and 3.1 (2.1, 4.3)mm³, respectively. The mean of JSW was 80.5 ± 34.2 mm³. The volume of bone erosions was negatively correlated with BMD of 2nd MCP head, VOI-4 and JSW; and it was positively correlated with osteophytes number. Regarding absence or presence of erosion in 2nd MCP head, a significant difference was found between BMD of MCP head, osteophyte number and JSW. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that only BMD of 2nd MCP head was independently associated with volume of bone erosions.

Conclusion

BMD of MCP head was independently associated with volume of bone erosion, suggesting that this parameter should be used to analyze and monitoring bone destruction, as well as to evaluate treatment response in RA patients.

Predictors of radiographic erosion and joint space narrowing progression in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis: a cohort study

Background

Radiographic damage in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) includes erosions and joint space narrowing (JSN). Different mechanisms may underlie their development. The objective of this study was to evaluate predictors of these entities separately.

Methods

Consecutive early RA patients (symptom duration ≤12 months) from a defined area (Malmö, Sweden) recruited during 1995–2005 were investigated. Radiographs of hands and feet were scored by a trained reader according to the modified Sharp-van der Heijde score. Fat mass and lean mass distribution were measured at baseline using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Potential predictors of erosion and JSN progression from inclusion to the 5-year follow-up were evaluated.

Results

Two hundred and thirty-three patients were included. Radiographs at baseline and 5 years were available for 162 patients. The median (interquartile) progression of erosion and JSN scores were 4 (0–8) and 8 (1–16), respectively. Rheumatoid factor (RF) was a robust significant predictor of both erosion and JSN score progression. In adjusted analyses, anti-CCP antibodies predicted erosions while the erythrocyte sedimentation rate was predictive of both outcomes. Smoking and high baseline disease activity (DAS28 > 5.1) predicted progression of erosions. Baseline erosion score was associated with progression of both erosion and JSN progression, while baseline JSN score was predictive only of the progression of JSN. Overweight/obesity (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²) was a significant negative predictor of JSN score progression (β = − 0.14, p = 0.018, adjusted for RF, age, baseline JSN score) also when additionally adjusting for ever smoking (p = 0.041). Among female patients, this effect was observed in those of estimated post-menopausal age (> 51 years), but not in younger women. The truncal to peripheral fat ratio was associated with less JSN score progression in women, but not in men.

Conclusions

Overweight RA patients had less JSN progression, independent of smoking status. This effect was seen in particular among older women (mainly post-menopausal), but not younger. Truncal fat was associated with less JSN progression in female patients. Smoking predicted erosion progression, and erosions may precede JSN. BMI and fat distribution may influence cartilage damage in early RA and might be related to hormonal factors.

Validation of the adjusted multi-biomarker disease activity score as a prognostic test for radiographic progression in rheumatoid arthritis: a combined analysis of multiple studies

BACKGROUND

The multi-biomarker disease activity (MBDA) test measures 12 serum protein biomarkers to quantify disease activity in RA patients. A newer version of the MBDA score, adjusted for age, sex, and adiposity, has been validated in two cohorts (OPERA and BRASS) for predicting risk for radiographic progression. We now extend these findings with additional cohorts to further validate the adjusted MBDA score as a predictor of radiographic progression risk and compare its performance with that of other risk factors.

METHODS

Four cohorts were analyzed: the BRASS and Leiden registries and the OPERA and SWEFOT studies (total N = 953). Treatments included conventional DMARDs and anti-TNFs. Associations of radiographic progression (ΔTSS) per year with the adjusted MBDA score, seropositivity, and clinical measures were evaluated using linear and logistic regression. The adjusted MBDA score was (1) validated in Leiden and SWEFOT, (2) compared with other measures in all four cohorts, and (3) used to generate curves for predicting risk of radiographic progression.

RESULTS

Univariable and bivariable analyses validated the adjusted MBDA score and found it to be the strongest, independent predicator of radiographic progression (ΔTSS > 5) compared with seropositivity (rheumatoid factor and/or anti-CCP), baseline TSS, DAS28-CRP, CRP SJC, or CDAI. Neither DAS28-CRP, CDAI, SJC, nor CRP added significant information to the adjusted MBDA score as a predictor, and the frequency of radiographic progression agreed with the adjusted MBDA score when it was discordant with these measures. The rate of progression (ΔTSS > 5) increased from < 2% in the low (1-29) adjusted MBDA category to 16% in the high (45-100) category. A modeled risk curve indicated that risk increased continuously, exceeding 40% for the highest adjusted MBDA scores.

CONCLUSION

The adjusted MBDA score was validated as an RA disease activity measure that is prognostic for radiographic progression. The adjusted MBDA score was a stronger predictor of radiographic progression than conventional risk factors, including seropositivity, and its prognostic ability was not significantly improved by the addition of DAS28-CRP, CRP, SJC, or CDAI.

Methotrexate (MTX) Plus Hydroxychloroquine versus MTX Plus Leflunomide in Patients with MTX-Resistant Active Rheumatoid Arthritis: A 2-Year Cohort Study in Real World

Purpose

To compare the efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of methotrexate (MTX) plus hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) vs MTX plus leflunomide (LEF) in established rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with inadequate response to MTX monotherapy in a real-world Chinese cohort.

Patients and Methods

A prospective RA cohort (n=549) was screened with eligible patients who had inadequate response (disease activity score in 28 joints using erythrocyte sedimentation rate, DAS28-ESR>3.2) to initial MTX monotherapy and subsequently received either MTX+HCQ or MTX+LEF. Propensity score matching (PSM) was applied to adjust the possible baseline confounders between two groups. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients achieving first remission (DAS28-ESR<2.6) during follow-up by log rank test. Secondary outcomes were changes of DAS28, glucocorticoids (GCs) exposure, safety, cost-effectiveness, sustained remission, and low disease activity (LDA) rate after 24-month follow-up.

Results

Overall, 222 eligible patients were subjected to the aforementioned two treatment protocols (MTX+HCQ, n=102; MTX+LEF, n=120). After PSM adjustment, 97 patients in each group were analyzed. A higher remission rate was observed in the MTX+HCQ group than in the MTX+LEF group (70.1% vs 56.7%, P=0.048). The median time to remission was 11 and 16 months in the two groups, respectively. At the endpoint, more patients achieved remission (46.8% vs 32.5%, P=0.063) and maintained sustained LDA in the HCQ group (53.2% vs 38.6%, P=0.062) and also more patients withdrew GCs in this group (32% vs 16.7%, P=0.053) than those in the LEF group. Safety profiles were non-alarming, with no significant difference between the two groups. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio yielded by MTX+HCQ over MTX+LEF was $1,111.8 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY), within the cost-effective threshold set as the per capita gross domestic product (GDP) of China.

Conclusion

The MTX+HCQ combination was seemingly superior to MTX+LEF in a real-world cohort of Chinese RA patients with inadequate response to methotrexate monotherapy in respect of the efficacy and cost-effectiveness.

Use of ICD-10 diagnosis codes to identify seropositive and seronegative rheumatoid arthritis when lab results are not available

BACKGROUND

Rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody tests are often measured at the time of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) diagnosis but may not be repeated and therefore not available in electronic health record (EHR) data; lab test results are unavailable in most administrative claims databases. ICD10 coding allows discrimination between rheumatoid factor positive (M05) ("seropositive") and seronegative (M06) patients, but the validity of these codes has not been examined.

METHODS

Using the ACR's Rheumatology Informatics System for Effectiveness (RISE) EHR-based registry and U.S. MarketScan data where some patients have lab test results, we assembled two cohorts. Seropositive RA was defined having a M05 diagnosis code on the second rheumatologist encounter, M06 similarly identified seronegative RA, and RF and anti-CCP lab test results were the gold standard. We calculated sensitivity (Se) and positive predicted value (PPV) of the M05/M06 diagnosis codes.

RESULTS

We identified 43,581 eligible RA patients (RISE) and 1185 (MarketScan) with RF or anti-CCP lab test results available. Using M05 as the proxy for seropositive RA, sensitivity = 0.76, PPV = 0.82 in RISE, and Se = 0.73, PPV = 0.84 in MarketScan. Results for M06 as a proxy for seronegative RA were comparable in RISE, albeit somewhat lower in MarketScan. Over 3 consecutive visits, approximately 90% of RA patients were coded consistently using either M05 or M06 at each visit.

CONCLUSION

Under ICD10, M05 and M06 diagnosis codes are reasonable proxies to identify seropositive and seronegative RA with high sensitivity and positive predictive values if lab test results are not available.

Maintenance to target was associated with radiological outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a real-world observational cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of different maintenance to target on radiologic outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in real-world setting.

METHODS

RA patients enrolled were screened from a longitudinal cohort. The radiographies were evaluated at baseline, after 1-2 years and thereafter every 2 years. An increase of mTSS > 3 from baseline was taken as the primary outcome and accelerated annual radiological progression as the secondary outcome of radiological progression. The maintenance rate (MR) to target was calculated as the proportion of the year fulfilling preset criteria of target over the whole follow-up period. COX regression and logistic analysis were used to determine the effect of variables on radiological outcomes.

RESULTS

Two hundred forty-three patients were enrolled, with median follow-up of 2 years (3.00). Radiological progression was observed in 43 (17.7%) patients, with annual increase of mTSS 0.20 (1.33). In multivariate analysis, MR was the only independent protective factor of both primary and secondary radiological outcomes in two models [HR 0.09, 95% CI (0.04, 0.22), p < 0.001, model 1; OR 0.21, 95% CI (0.09, 0.49), p < 0.001, model 2]. ACPA positivity was another independent risk factor of secondary outcome [OR 2.96, 95% CI (1.27, 6.86), p = 0.012]. Higher MR was also associated with less radiological progression in established RA patients. Partial MR was not inferior to full maintenance within 4 years in terms of halting radiological progression.

CONCLUSION

Low MR and ACPA positivity were independent risk factors of poor radiological outcomes in RA patients. No significant difference in radiological progression could be detected between partial and full maintenance group within 4 years in daily practice.

KEY POINTS

• The first study showing that maintenance to target is beneficial to bone protection in established RA patients in real-world setting • No difference in radiological outcomes between partial and full maintenance group within 4 years.

Radiographic progression based on baseline characteristics from TNF inhibitor biosimilar studies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Objective

Phase III clinical trials of the tumour necrosis factor inhibitors SB4, SB2, and SB5 (biosimilars to etanercept, infliximab, and adalimumab, respectively) have demonstrated efficacy in moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Data from these trials were used to identify baseline characteristics associated with radiographic progression and to build a matrix risk model for its prediction.

Methods

Patients with radiographic progression and baseline demographic and disease characteristic data were pooled across the 3 phase III studies of each biosimilar and its reference product. Baseline demographics and disease characteristics were evaluated for their relationship with radiographic progression (1-year mean change in mTSS > 0); 3 factors were selected based on strongest Pearson’s correlation coefficient with the change in modified Total Sharp Score. Univariate logistic regression was performed to assess the association between each baseline factor and the rate of radiographic progression, with subsequent matrix model development performed using multivariate logistic regression.

Results

A total of 1371 patients were included in the analysis, with a radiographic progression rate of 27.4%. The 3 baseline predictors of radiographic progression, based on Pearson’s correlation coefficient, were 28 swollen joint count (SJC28), C-reactive protein (CRP), and physician global assessment (PhGA). A matrix model showed that the predicted risk of radiographic progression was higher with the increased level of SJC28, CRP, and PhGA (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

In this pooled analysis of phase III clinical trial data of biosimilars for RA, identifiable baseline factors (SJC28, CRP, and PhGA) associated with radiographic progression were similar to those described in prior studies. Even though radiographic progression was minimal, a small number of patients who have increased SJC28, CRP, and PhGA at baseline should be closely monitored and follow treat-to-target approach.

Clinical trial registration numbers

EudraCT 2012-005026-30. Registered 30 April 2013, https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ctr-search/trial/2012-005026-30/results

EudraCT 2012-005733-37. Registered 10 July 2013, https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ctr-search/trial/2012-005733-37/results

EudraCT 2013-005013-13. Registered 01 April 2014, https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ctr-search/trial/2013-005013-13/results

Contributing factors of clinical outcomes at 1 year post-diagnosis in early rheumatoid arthritis patients with tightly controlled disease activity in clinical practice: a retrospective study

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether specific parameters contribute to clinical outcomes at 1 year post-diagnosis in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the 'treat-to-target' strategy in clinical practice.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 125 RA patients selected according to the following criteria; the patients' symptom duration was ≤6 months, and none had experience with DMARDs. We evaluated the patients' clinical disease activity at baseline and 1 year of treatment and the musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS)-detected synovitis activity at baseline. We performed an analysis to identify parameters that contribute to SDAI remission and the use of biologic/targeted synthetic (b/ts) DMARDs at 1 year post-diagnosis.

RESULTS

Forty-seven patients received b/tsDMARDs therapy, and 58 patients achieved SDAI remission at 1 year post-diagnosis. Rheumatoid factor positivity, low patient's/evaluator's global assessment at baseline, and methotrexate use at 1 year post-diagnosis were associated with SDAI remission. The baseline clinical disease activity and MSUS scores were not associated with SDAI remission. Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody positivity/high titer and high swollen joint counts or the presence of severe synovial hypertrophy at baseline were associated with the use of b/tsDMARDs therapy.

CONCLUSION

The value of the expected poor-prognosis factors may be diminished by intensive therapy within the 'windows of opportunity'.

Efficacy of denosumab with regard to bone destruction in prognostic subgroups of Japanese rheumatoid arthritis patients from the phase II DRIVE study

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the efficacy of denosumab for progressive bone erosion in risk factor subgroups of Japanese RA patients.

METHODS

This study included 340 RA patients on MTX from the dose-response study of Denosumab in patients with RheumatoId arthritis on methotrexate to Validate inhibitory effect on bone Erosion (DRIVE study-a 12-month, multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase II study). The patients were randomized to receive placebo or denosumab 60 mg every 6 months, 3 months or 2 months. Subgroup analyses involved baseline RF, ACPA, swollen joint count, CRP level, RA duration, ESR and glucocorticoid use.

RESULTS

Patients with risk factor positivity generally showed consistent results for the primary endpoint of the change in the modified Sharp erosion score at 12 months from baseline. In the placebo, every 6 months, every 3 months and every 2 months groups, the mean changes in the erosion score, according to the RF status (RF-positive vs -negative subgroups), were 1.18 vs 0.59, 0.25 (P = 0.0601 vs placebo) vs 0.31 (P = 0.0827), 0.21 (P = 0.0422) vs -0.02 (P = 0.0631) and 0.15 (P = 0.0010) vs -0.05 (P = 0.0332), respectively, while the mean changes in the erosion score, according to the ACPA status (ACPA-positive vs -negative subgroups), were 1.30 vs 0.07, 0.26 (P = 0.0142) vs 0.33 (P = 0.2748), 0.16 (P = 0.0058) vs 0.08 (P = 0.7166) and 0.09 (P < 0.0001) vs 0.08 (P = 0.8939), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Denosumab is a potentially useful treatment option for RA patients who are positive for RF, ACPA and other possible risk factors.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

JAPIC Clinical Trials Information, http://www.clinicaltrials.jp/user/cteSearch_e.jsp, JapicCTI-101263.

Assessment of structural damage progression in established rheumatoid arthritis by conventional radiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging

Structural damage progression in patients with established rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has traditionally been assessed by conventional radiography (CR), which has proven its value in clinical practice and clinical trials over the past decades. The most prominent abnormalities visualized by CR in RA patients are erosions as a consequence of bone destruction and joint space narrowing (JSN) as a consequence of cartilage damage. Several validated scoring systems to quantify the structural joint damage and progression herein are available. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are newer, more sensitive methods for detection and monitoring of structural joint damage. A validated scoring system for magnetic resonance imaging of the hands and wrists exists, while no consensus has been reached on a scoring system for computed tomography. Structural damage identified by either CR or magnetic resonance imaging predicts a poorer disease course in patients with both early and established rheumatoid arthritis.

EULAR recommendations for the management of rheumatoid arthritis with synthetic and biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs: 2019 update

OBJECTIVES

To provide an update of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) rheumatoid arthritis (RA) management recommendations to account for the most recent developments in the field.

METHODS

An international task force considered new evidence supporting or contradicting previous recommendations and novel therapies and strategic insights based on two systematic literature searches on efficacy and safety of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) since the last update (2016) until 2019. A predefined voting process was applied, current levels of evidence and strengths of recommendation were assigned and participants ultimately voted independently on their level of agreement with each of the items.

RESULTS

The task force agreed on 5 overarching principles and 12 recommendations concerning use of conventional synthetic (cs) DMARDs (methotrexate (MTX), leflunomide, sulfasalazine); glucocorticoids (GCs); biological (b) DMARDs (tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (adalimumab, certolizumab pegol, etanercept, golimumab, infliximab), abatacept, rituximab, tocilizumab, sarilumab and biosimilar (bs) DMARDs) and targeted synthetic (ts) DMARDs (the Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors tofacitinib, baricitinib, filgotinib, upadacitinib). Guidance on monotherapy, combination therapy, treatment strategies (treat-to-target) and tapering on sustained clinical remission is provided. Cost and sequencing of b/tsDMARDs are addressed. Initially, MTX plus GCs and upon insufficient response to this therapy within 3 to 6 months, stratification according to risk factors is recommended. With poor prognostic factors (presence of autoantibodies, high disease activity, early erosions or failure of two csDMARDs), any bDMARD or JAK inhibitor should be added to the csDMARD. If this fails, any other bDMARD (from another or the same class) or tsDMARD is recommended. On sustained remission, DMARDs may be tapered, but not be stopped. Levels of evidence and levels of agreement were mostly high.

CONCLUSIONS

These updated EULAR recommendations provide consensus on the management of RA with respect to benefit, safety, preferences and cost.

Predictors of new bone erosion in rheumatoid arthritis patients receiving conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs: Analysis of data from the DRIVE and DESIRABLE studies

OBJECTIVE

To investigate new bone erosion and cartilage destruction predictors in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients treated with conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs).

METHODS

Placebo-treated patient data from two 12-month, randomized, double-blind, phase 2 (DRIVE) and 3 (DESIRABLE) trials that evaluated denosumab efficacy in csDMARD-treated RA patients were used. Change from baseline in erosion score (ES) of ≥1.0 at 12 months was considered new bone erosion; predictors were identified using a multivariate model.

RESULTS

Among 306 patients, mean ± standard deviation disease activity score 28-C-reactive protein (CRP) at baseline was 3.58 ± 1.03. New bone erosion was observed in 90 patients (29.4%). Univariate analysis identified female sex, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody positivity, rheumatoid factor (RF) positivity, tender joint count ≥6, CRP ≥0.3 mg/dL, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) ≥28 mm/h, and baseline ES ≥3 as significant predictors for new bone erosion. In multivariate analysis, predictors were anti-CCP antibody positivity, CRP ≥0.3 mg/dL, and baseline ES ≥3; RF and ESR were excluded as they strongly correlated with anti-CCP antibody and CRP, respectively.

CONCLUSION

In RA patients treated with csDMARDs, new bone erosion predictors were seropositivity, elevated inflammatory markers, and baseline ES ≥3.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

DRIVE, JapicCTI-101263; DESIRABLE, NCT01973569.

Impaired bone microarchitecture in distal interphalangeal joints in patients with primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy assessed by high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography

This study aimed to investigate the bone impairment in finger joints in PHO patients by HR-pQCT. Results showed distinguished differences in bone architecture and biomechanics parameters at DIPs between PHO patients and healthy controls using HR-pQCT assessment. Besides, serum PGE2, hsCRP and ESR levels were found negatively correlated with total vBMD.

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to investigate the bone impairment in finger joints in primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (PHO) patients firstly by high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT).

METHODS

Fifteen PHO patients and 15 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Bone erosions in hands at distal interphalangeal joints (DIPs) in both PHO patients and controls were evaluated by X-ray. Bone geometry, vBMD, microstructure parameters, and size of individual bone erosion were also measured at the 3rd DIP by HR-pQCT as well. Blood biochemistry levels between the two groups were also compared.

RESULTS

Compared to X-ray, HR-pQCT assessment were more sensitive for detection of bone erosions, with 14 PHO patients by HR-pQCT versus ten PHO patients by X-ray judged at the 3rd DIP. The average depth, width, and volume of erosions size in PHO patients were 1.38 ± 0.80 mm, 0.79 ± 0.27 mm, and 1.71 ± 0.52 mm³, respectively. The bone cross-areas including total area (+ 25.3%, p ≤ 0.05), trabecular area (+ 56.2%, p ≤ 0.05), and cortical perimeter (+ 10.7%, p ≤ 0.05) at the defined region of interest of 3rd DIP was significantly larger than controls. Total vBMD was 11.9% lower in PHO patients compared with the controls (p ≤ 0.05). Biochemical test results showed the increased levels of inflammatory cytokines, bone resorption markers, and joint degeneration markers in PHO patients. Serum prostaglandin PGE2, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) levels were found negatively correlated with total vBMD.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated higher sensitivity of the HR-pQCT measurement at DIPs by showing the differences in architecture and biomechanics parameters at DIPs between the PHO patients and healthy controls, which would be of interest clinically to investigate bone deterioration in PHO patients.

Efficacy of Abatacept and Adalimumab in Patients with Early Rheumatoid Arthritis With Multiple Poor Prognostic Factors: Post Hoc Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial (AMPLE)

INTRODUCTION

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with poor prognostic factors, such as seropositivity for anti-citrullinated protein antibodies and early erosions, may benefit from early intensive treatment. However, information to guide physicians on the best choice of therapy in these patients is limited. The objective of this study was to describe the efficacy of subcutaneous abatacept versus adalimumab over 2 years in patients with seropositive, erosive early RA in the AMPLE study.

METHODS

This exploratory post hoc analysis compared clinical, functional and radiographic outcomes in two subsets of patients: patients with early RA (≤ 6 months' disease duration) who were seropositive for rheumatoid factor and/or anti-citrullinated protein antibodies and had > 1 radiographic erosion (Cohort 1); and patients with RA and absence of ≥ 1 of these inclusion criteria (Cohort    2).

RESULTS

Of the 646 randomized patients, Cohort 1 included 38 patients receiving abatacept and 45 receiving adalimumab, and Cohort 2 included 280 patients receiving abatacept and 283 receiving adalimumab. Baseline demographics and disease characteristics were generally similar between treatment groups in both cohorts. Over 2 years, in Cohort 1, the adjusted mean change from baseline in the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (using C-reactive protein) was numerically greater for abatacept than for adalimumab (mean difference at day 365 was 0.9, 95% confidence interval - 1.47 to - 0.33). Similar patterns of improvement were observed for other disease activity measures and physical function, but not for radiographic outcomes. No treatment-related differences were observed in Cohort 2.

CONCLUSION

This analysis indicates a trend towards improved disease activity and physical function with abatacept versus adalimumab in patients with seropositive, erosive early RA.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00929864.

FUNDING

Bristol-Myers Squibb.

An updated matrix to predict rapid radiographic progression of early rheumatoid arthritis patients: pooled analyses from several databases

Objective

In early RA, some patients exhibit rapid radiographic progression (RRP) after one year, associated with poor functional prognosis. Matrices predicting this risk have been proposed, lacking precision or inadequately calibrated. We developed a matrix to predict RRP with high precision and adequate calibration.

Methods

Post-hoc analysis by pooling individual data from cohorts (ESPOIR and Leuven cohorts) and clinical trials (ASPIRE, BeSt and SWEFOT trials). Adult DMARD-naïve patients with active early RA for which the first therapeutic strategy after inclusion was to prescribe methotrexate or leflunomide were included. A logistic regression model to predict RRP was built. The best model was selected by 10-fold stratified cross-validation by maximizing the Area Under the Curve. Calibration and discriminatory power of the model were checked. The probabilities of RRP for each combination of levels of baseline characteristics were estimated.

Results

1306 patients were pooled. 20.6% exhibited RRP. Four predictors were retained: rheumatoid factor positivity, presence of at least one RA erosion on X-rays, CRP &gt; 30mg/l, number of swollen joints. The matrix estimates RRP probability for 36 combinations of level of baseline characteristics with a greatly enhanced precision compared with previously published matrices (95% CI: from ± 0.02 minimum to ± 0.08 maximum) and model calibration is excellent (P = 0.79).

Conclusion

A matrix proposing RRP probability with high precision and excellent calibration in early RA was built. Although the matrix has moderate sensitivity and specificity, it is easily usable and may help physicians and patients to make treatment decisions in daily clinical practice.

Predicting risk for radiographic damage in rheumatoid arthritis: comparative analysis of the multi-biomarker disease activity score and conventional measures of disease activity in multiple studies

Objective: To compare the multi-biomarker disease activity (MBDA) score with the DAS28-CRP and CRP for predicting risk of radiographic progression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.Methods: Published studies of the MBDA score and radiographic progression with ≥100 patients per cohort were evaluated. Rates of radiographic progression over 1 year were determined across the low/moderate/high categories for MBDA score (low/moderate/high: <30, 30-44, >44), DAS28-CRP (low/moderate/high: ≤2.67, >2.67-4.09, >4.09) and CRP (low/moderate/high: ≤10, >10-30, >30 mg/L), with positive and negative predictive value (PPV, NPV) and relative risk (RR) determined for high vs. not-high (i.e. low and moderate combined) categories. Patient-level data from studies having all three measures was pooled to: (1) determine a combined RR for radiographic progression in the high vs. not-high categories for each measure; and (2) compare the predictive ability of MBDA score vs. DAS28-CRP by comparing the rates of radiographic progression observed in subgroups created by cross-classifying the high and not-high categories of each measure.Results: Five cohorts were identified for inclusion (total N=929). In each, radiographic progression was more frequent with increasing MBDA scores. Among the three cohorts with requisite data, PPVs were generally similar using categories of MBDA score, DAS28-CRP or CRP but NPVs were greater for MBDA score (93-97%) than DAS28-CRP or CRP (77-87%). RRs for radiographic progression were greater when based on categories of MBDA score than DAS28-CRP or CRP and the combined RR was greater for MBDA score (4.6, p < .0001) than DAS28-CRP (1.7, p = .02) or CRP (1.7, p = .002). For patients cross-classified by MBDA score and DAS28-CRP, high vs. not-high MBDA score significantly predicted radiographic progression independently of DAS28-CRP.Conclusions: High and not-high MBDA scores were associated with increased and low risk, respectively, for radiographic progression over one year. MBDA score was a better predictor of radiographic progression than DAS28-CRP or CRP.

Impact of the combined presence of erosions and ACPA on rheumatoid arthritis disease activity over time: results from the METEOR registry

Objective

To investigate associations between baseline presence of erosions and/or anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) on functional ability, disease activity and treatment survival over time.

Methods

Real life data from newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis patients were identified in the international METEOR registry. Patients were grouped according to presence/absence of ACPA and/or erosions at baseline. Associations between the presence of ACPA and/or erosions (four groups) with the change of Disease Activity Score (DAS) and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) over time were assessed using linear mixed models during maximum 6 or maximum 12 months from baseline. Treatment survival was assessed using multiple failure-times Cox regression.

Results

Data were included from 701 ACPA‒/erosions‒, 334 ACPA‒/erosions+, 1585 ACPA+/erosions‒ and 1993 ACPA+/erosions+ patients. We found statistically significant differences in DAS and HAQ change over time between the four groups, both after maximum follow-up durations of 6 and of 12 months, but after stratification differences proved small and not clinically meaningful. Patients in the ACPA‒/erosions‒ group were less likely to switch treatment compared with the ACPA+/erosions‒ reference group (p<0.001). The other two ACPA/erosions groups did not differ from the reference group.

Conclusions

In this analysis of worldwide real life data, we found statistically significant, but clinically irrelevant differences in treatment response to initial disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug therapies as measured by DAS and HAQ in ACPA‒/erosions‒, ACPA‒/erosions+, ACPA+/erosions‒ and ACPA+/erosions+ rheumatoid arthritis patients. However, after maximum follow-up durations of 6 and 12 months all groups had a similar response to initial treatment, but with a lower likelihood to switch treatment for ACPA‒/erosions‒ patients during the first year of follow-up.

Long-term efficacy and cost-effectiveness of infliximab as first-line treatment in rheumatoid arthritis: systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction: Early biological treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may reverse the autoimmune response in some patients resulting in favorable long-term outcomes. Although the cost-effectiveness of this strategy has been questioned, biosimilar entries warrant the revision of clinical and pharmaco-economic evidence. Areas covered: We conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published up to 24 May 2018 in Pubmed, EMBASE and Cochrane CENTRAL, comparing infliximab with non-biological therapy in patients with RA naïve to methotrexate. We performed meta-analyses for efficacy outcomes at month 6 and years 1 and 2. Six RCTs were identified, involving 1832 patients. At month 6 ACR70 response and remission, and at year 1 ACR20/ACR70 responses and remission were improved significantly with first-line infliximab versus control. The differences were not significant at year 2. We reviewed cost-utility studies, up to 31 October 2018 in PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL and the CRD HTA databases. Four studies indicated that first-line use of originator infliximab calculated at 2005-2008 prices was not cost-effective. Expert opinion: We demonstrated the efficacy benefits of first-line infliximab therapy up to 1 year in methotrexate-naïve RA. We highlighted the need for standardized reporting of outcomes and conducting cost-effectiveness analyses of first-line biosimilar therapy in RA.

Assessing prognosis and prediction of treatment response in early rheumatoid arthritis: systematic reviews

BACKGROUND

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, debilitating disease associated with reduced quality of life and substantial costs. It is unclear which tests and assessment tools allow the best assessment of prognosis in people with early RA and whether or not variables predict the response of patients to different drug treatments.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review evidence on the use of selected tests and assessment tools in patients with early RA (1) in the evaluation of a prognosis (review 1) and (2) as predictive markers of treatment response (review 2).

DATA SOURCES

Electronic databases (e.g. MEDLINE, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science Conference Proceedings; searched to September 2016), registers, key websites, hand-searching of reference lists of included studies and key systematic reviews and contact with experts.

STUDY SELECTION

Review 1 - primary studies on the development, external validation and impact of clinical prediction models for selected outcomes in adult early RA patients. Review 2 - primary studies on the interaction between selected baseline covariates and treatment (conventional and biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs) on salient outcomes in adult early RA patients.

RESULTS

Review 1 - 22 model development studies and one combined model development/external validation study reporting 39 clinical prediction models were included. Five external validation studies evaluating eight clinical prediction models for radiographic joint damage were also included. c-statistics from internal validation ranged from 0.63 to 0.87 for radiographic progression (different definitions, six studies) and 0.78 to 0.82 for the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). Predictive performance in external validations varied considerably. Three models [(1) Active controlled Study of Patients receiving Infliximab for the treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis of Early onset (ASPIRE) C-reactive protein (ASPIRE CRP), (2) ASPIRE erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ASPIRE ESR) and (3) Behandelings Strategie (BeSt)] were externally validated using the same outcome definition in more than one population. Results of the random-effects meta-analysis suggested substantial uncertainty in the expected predictive performance of models in a new sample of patients. Review 2 - 12 studies were identified. Covariates examined included anti-citrullinated protein/peptide anti-body (ACPA) status, smoking status, erosions, rheumatoid factor status, C-reactive protein level, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, swollen joint count (SJC), body mass index and vascularity of synovium on power Doppler ultrasound (PDUS). Outcomes examined included erosions/radiographic progression, disease activity, physical function and Disease Activity Score-28 remission. There was statistical evidence to suggest that ACPA status, SJC and PDUS status at baseline may be treatment effect modifiers, but not necessarily that they are prognostic of response for all treatments. Most of the results were subject to considerable uncertainty and were not statistically significant.

LIMITATIONS

The meta-analysis in review 1 was limited by the availability of only a small number of external validation studies. Studies rarely investigated the interaction between predictors and treatment.

SUGGESTED RESEARCH PRIORITIES

Collaborative research (including the use of individual participant data) is needed to further develop and externally validate the clinical prediction models. The clinical prediction models should be validated with respect to individual treatments. Future assessments of treatment by covariate interactions should follow good statistical practice.

CONCLUSIONS

Review 1 - uncertainty remains over the optimal prediction model(s) for use in clinical practice. Review 2 - in general, there was insufficient evidence that the effect of treatment depended on baseline characteristics.

STUDY REGISTRATION

This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42016042402.

FUNDING

The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.

Synovial Tissue: Turning the Page to Precision Medicine in Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease targeting the joints. Current treatment strategies are based on clinical, biological and radiological features, yet still fail to reach the goal of early low disease activity in a significant number of cases. Hence, there is a need for refining current treatment algorithms, using accurate markers of response to therapy. Because RA induces histological and molecular alterations in the synovium even before apparition of clinical symptoms, synovial biopsies are a promising tool in the search of such new biomarkers. Histological and molecular characteristics of RA synovitis are heterogeneous. Variations in synovial lining layer hyperplasia, in cellular infiltration of the sublining by immune cells of myeloid and lymphoid lineages, and in molecular triggers of these features are currently categorized using well-defined pathotypes: myeloid, lymphoid, fibroid and pauci-immune. Here, we first bring the plasticity of RA synovitis under scrutiny, i.e., how variations in synovial characteristics are associated with relevant clinical features (disease duration, disease activity, effects of therapies, disease severity). Primary response to a specific drug could be, at least theoretically, related to the representation of the molecular pathway targeted by the drug in the synovium. Alternatively, absence of primary response to a specific agent could be due to disease severity, i.e., overrepresentation of all synovial molecular pathways driving disease activity overwhelming the capacity of any drug to block them. Using this theoretical frame, we will highlight how the findings of previous studies trying to link response to therapy with synovial changes provide promising perspectives on bridging the gap to personalized medicine in RA.

Effect of Magnetic Resonance Imaging vs Conventional Treat-to-Target Strategies on Disease Activity Remission and Radiographic Progression in Rheumatoid Arthritis: The IMAGINE-RA Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE

Whether using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to guide treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) improves disease activity and slows joint damage progression is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether an MRI-guided treat-to-target strategy vs a conventional clinical treat-to-target strategy improves outcomes in patients with RA in clinical remission.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Two-year, randomized, multicenter trial conducted at 9 hospitals in Denmark. Two hundred patients with RA in clinical remission (disease activity score in 28 joints-C-reactive protein [DAS28-CRP] <3.2 and no swollen joints) were enrolled between April 2012 and June 2015. The final follow-up visit was April 2017.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients were randomly allocated (1:1) to an MRI-guided vs a conventional treat-to-target strategy. In the MRI-guided group, the treatment goal was absence of MRI bone marrow edema combined with clinical remission, defined as DAS28-CRP of 3.2 or less and no swollen joints. In the conventional group, the treatment goal was clinical remission.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Co-primary outcomes were proportions of patients achieving DAS28-CRP remission (DAS28-CRP <2.6) and with no radiographic progression (no increase in total van der Heijde-modified Sharp score) at 24 months. Significance testing for the primary outcome was based on 1-sided testing. Secondary outcomes were clinical and MRI measures of disease activity, physical function, and quality of life.

RESULTS

Of 200 patients randomized (133 women [67%]; mean [SD] age, 61.6 [10.5] years; median baseline DAS28-CRP, 1.9 [interquartile range, 1.7-2.2]; van der Heijde-modified Sharp score, 18.0 [interquartile range, 7.0-42.5]), 76 patients (76%) in the MRI-guided group and 95 (95%) in the conventional group completed the study. Of these, 64 (85%) vs 83 (88%), respectively, reached the primary clinical end point (risk difference, -4.8% [1-sided 95% CI, -13.6% to + ∞; 1-sided P = .19]) and 49 (66%) vs 58 (62%), respectively, reached the primary radiographic end point (risk difference, 4.7% [1-sided 95% CI, -7.0% to + ∞; 1-sided P = .25). Of 10 key secondary end points, 8 were null and 2 showed statistically significant benefit for the MRI treat-to-target group. Seventeen patients (17%) in the MRI-guided treat-to-target group and 6 patients (6%) in the conventional treat-to-target group experienced serious adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Among patients with RA in clinical remission, an MRI-guided treat-to-target strategy compared with a conventional treat-to-target strategy did not result in improved disease activity remission rates or reduce radiographic progression. These findings do not support the use of an MRI-guided strategy for treating patients with RA.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01656278.

Clinical and pathophysiologic relevance of autoantibodies in rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune/inflammatory disease affecting 0.5 to 1% of adults worldwide and frequently leads to joint destruction and disability. Early diagnosis and early and effective therapy may prevent joint damage and lead to better long-term results. Therefore, reliable biomarkers and outcome measures are needed. Refinement of the understanding of molecular pathways involved in disease pathogenesis have been achieved by combining knowledge on RA-associated genes, environmental factors and the presence of serological elements. The presence of autoantibodies is a distinctive feature of RA. Rheumatoid Factor and Anti-Citrullinated Protein Antibodies are the two most remarkable autoantibodies in RA and provide different clinical and pathophysiological information. They precede the onset of disease symptoms and predict a more severe disease course, indicating a pathogenetic role in RA. Therefore, they promote a more accurate prognosis and contribute for a better disease management. Several RA-associated autoantibody systems have been identified: Anti-Carbamylated Antibodies, Anti-BRAF, Anti-Acetylated, Anti-PAD4 antibodies and others. Hopefully, the characterization of a comprehensive array of novel autoantibody systems in RA will provide unique pathogenic insights of relevance for the development of diagnostic and prognostic approaches compatible with an effective personalized medicine.

Conceptual model for the health technology assessment of current and novel interventions in rheumatoid arthritis

The objective of this study was to evaluate current approaches to economic modeling in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and propose a new conceptual model for evaluation of the cost-effectiveness of RA interventions. We followed recommendations from the International Society of Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research-Society of Medical Decision Making (ISPOR-SMDM) Modeling Good Research Practices Task Force-2. The process involved scoping the decision problem by a working group and drafting a preliminary cost-effectiveness model framework. A systematic literature review (SLR) of existing decision-analytic models was performed and analysis of an RA registry was conducted to inform the structure of the draft conceptual model. Finally, an expert panel was convened to seek input on the draft conceptual model. The proposed conceptual model consists of three separate modules: 1) patient characteristic module, 2) treatment module, and 3) outcome module. Consistent with the scope, the conceptual model proposed six changes to current economic models in RA. These changes proposed are to: 1) use composite measures of disease activity to evaluate treatment response as well as disease progression (at least two measures should be considered, one as the base case and one as a sensitivity analysis); 2) conduct utility mapping based on disease activity measures; 3) incorporate subgroups based on guideline-recommended prognostic factors; 4) integrate realistic treatment patterns based on clinical practice/registry datasets; 5) assimilate outcomes that are not joint related (extra-articular outcomes); and 6) assess mortality based on disease activity. We proposed a conceptual model that incorporates the current understanding of clinical and real-world evidence in RA, as well as of existing modeling assumptions. The proposed model framework was reviewed with experts and could serve as a foundation for developing future cost-effectiveness models in RA.

Clinical and radiologic analysis of on-demand use of etanercept for disease flares in patients with rheumatoid arthritis for 2 years: The RESUME study: A case-control study

To reduce costs of biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs), we evaluated the efficacy of repeated etanercept (ETN) discontinuation and restarting in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in a case-control study.Thirty-one bDMARD-naive RA patients with moderate to high disease activity received ETN until low disease activity (LDA) was achieved, after which ETN was discontinued. Upon flaring, ETN was readministered with observation every 2 months for 2 years, and radiographically evaluated in comparison with a historical control group treated continuously with ETN. Statistical methods including Fisher exact test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), Kruskal-Wallis test, multiple regression analysis, and Student t test were conducted as appropriate.Thirteen patients with inadequate response to ETN were withdrawn from the study, and 5 had no flare-up after ETN discontinuation. In the remaining 13 patients, ETN was used on-demand to maintain LDA. Multivariate analysis revealed that MTX was significantly correlated with ETN. All 13 patients achieved LDA at final follow-up. Although joint damage progressed in patients using ETN on-demand, structural damage progression in the on-demand group was not significantly different from that in controls.On-demand use of ETN for flaring reduced disease activity but not structural damage in 50% of patients (though not significantly). However, inhibition of joint damage was achieved in 50% of patients after 2 years, supporting on-demand use of ETN as a treatment option for patients with RA who cannot afford bDMARD or targeted synthetic DMARD therapy.

Predictors of disease activity and structural progression after treatment with adalimumab plus methotrexate or continued methotrexate monotherapy in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis and suboptimal response to methotrexate

Objectives

Methotrexate is considered to be first-line therapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, a substantial proportion of treated patients do not achieve the desired goals of therapy. This analysis aimed to identify predictors of insufficient response to methotrexate in patients with early RA.

Methods

The Optimal Protocol for Treatment Initiation with Methotrexate and Adalimumab (OPTIMA) and PREMIER studies in patients with RA for <1 and <3 years, respectively, examined the efficacy of methotrexate and adalimumab in methotrexate-naive patients. This post hoc analysis included patients for whom initial methotrexate monotherapy was not successful after 6 months. Candidate predictors of insufficient response and clinically relevant radiographic progression (CRRP) included demographics, baseline disease characteristics and time-averaged disease variables over a 12-week interval. In OPTIMA, adalimumab was added to therapy after insufficient treatment response; in PREMIER, initial methotrexate therapy was continued; clinical, functional and radiologic outcomes were assessed after 1 year.

Results

Baseline 28-joint Disease Activity Score based on C-reactive protein (DAS28(CRP)) and time-averaged DAS28(CRP) over 4, 8 and 12 weeks were the strongest predictors of insufficient response to methotrexate and CRRP. Addition of adalimumab to methotrexate therapy was associated with better clinical, functional and radiographic outcomes after 1 year compared with continuing on methotrexate monotherapy.

Conclusions

In patients with early RA, baseline disease characteristics and early disease activity can predict response to methotrexate treatment and radiographic progression at 6 months. The addition of adalimumab at 6 months after methotrexate failure is associated with improved outcomes. These results support treatment-to-target strategies and timely adaptation of therapy in patients with early RA.

Trial registration number

NCT00420927, NCT00195663; Post-results.

Do Poor Prognostic Factors in Rheumatoid Arthritis Affect Treatment Choices and Outcomes? Analysis of a US Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry

OBJECTIVE

To characterize patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by number of poor prognostic factors (PPF: functional limitation, extraarticular disease, seropositivity, erosions) and evaluate treatment acceleration, clinical outcomes, and work status over 12 months by number of PPF.

METHODS

Using the Corrona RA registry (January 2005-December 2015), biologic-naive patients with diagnosed RA having 12-month (± 3 mos) followup were identified and categorized by PPF (0-1, 2, ≥ 3). Changes in medication, Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI), and work status (baseline-12 mos) were evaluated using linear and logistic regression models.

RESULTS

There were 3458 patients who met the selection criteria: 1489 (43.1%), 1214 (35.1%), and 755 (21.8%) had 0-1, 2, or ≥ 3 PPF, respectively. At baseline, patients with ≥ 3 PPF were older, and had longer RA duration and higher CDAI versus those with 0-1 PPF. In 0-1, 2, and ≥ 3 PPF groups, respectively, 20.9%, 23.2%, and 26.5% of patients received ≥ 1 biologic (p = 0.011). Biologic/targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (tsDMARD) use was similar in patients with/without PPF (p = 0.57). After adjusting for baseline CDAI, mean (standard error) change in CDAI was -4.95 (0.24), -4.53 (0.27), and -2.52 (0.34) for 0-1, 2, and ≥ 3 PPF groups, respectively. More patients were working at baseline but not at 12-month followup in 2 (13.9%) and ≥ 3 (12.5%) versus 0-1 (7.3%) PPF group.

CONCLUSION

Despite high disease activity and worse clinical outcomes, number of PPF did not significantly predict biologic/tsDMARD use. This may warrant reconsideration of the importance of PPF in treat-to-target approaches.

Clinical and radiographic course of early undifferentiated arthritis under treatment is not dependent on the number of joints with erosions at diagnosis: results from the Swiss prospective observational cohort

Objective

To analyse whether early arthritis patients who do not fulfil the American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism (ACR/EULAR) 2010 classification criteria for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have a different course of the disease dependent on whether they can or cannot be classified as RA because of radiographic disease (EULAR task force) at diagnosis.

Methods

For this observational study within the Swiss RA cohort SCQM, we included patients with early undifferentiated arthritis (disease duration ≤1 year), who had not received any previous disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria negative patients were separated into two groups (radiographic vs non-radiographic arthritis) depending on whether or not they had radiographic changes defined as erosive disease by a EULAR task force (≥3 joints with erosions). The primary outcome measure was the radiographic progression detected employing the Ratingen erosion score. Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and DAS-28 were used as secondary outcome measures. The average observation period was 4 years.

Results

A total of 592 patients were analysed. 240 were not classifiable as RA by application of the 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria at baseline. In 57 patients, radiographs at the first visit were not available. 133 patients had radiographic arthritis and 50 non-radiographic arthritis. Treatment was initiated in all patients with DMARDs, mostly methotrexate. No differences in DAS-28 and HAQ scores were found during follow-up. The average erosion scores were higher among patients with initially radiographic arthritis throughout the study. The progression of erosion scores over time, however, was higher in patients with initially non-radiographic arthritis with less subsequent radiological progression (3.3 erosions/year vs 0.4, respectively, p<0.0001).

Conclusions

The clinical and radiographic course of early undifferentiated arthritis under treatment was not dependent on the presence of erosions in three or more joints (ie, the definition of radiographic disease by the EULAR task force) at diagnosis in our cohort.