Clinical efficacy and safety maintained up to 5 years in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with tocilizumab in a randomised trial

OBJECTIVES

To report 5-year efficacy and safety in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with active disease treated with tocilizumab.

METHODS

LITHE was a 2-year, randomised, placebo-controlled study of tocilizumab in RA patients (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00106535), with an additional 3-year, open-label extension. Patients were randomly assigned to tocilizumab (4 or 8 mg/kg IV) or placebo every 4 weeks + methotrexate. They could receive rescue with tocilizumab from week 16; after week 52, patients could switch to open-label tocilizumab 8 mg/kg. Radiographs were analysed by randomized treatment using the Genant-modified Total Sharp Score (GmTSS). Patients with at least baseline, week 104 and post-week 104 radiographs were included. Clinical and safety data were pooled for all patients who received ≥1 dose of tocilizumab; results are presented from the first tocilizumab dose.

RESULTS

1,149 patients were included with 4,380 patient-years of exposure; 34% received 5 years of treatment. Mean 5-year change in GmTSS revealed greater inhibition of radiographic progression in tocilizumab patients than placebo patients (1.34 vs. 3.02), with the greatest annualised progression rate in year 1. Overall, 53% of tocilizumab and 35% of placebo patients experienced no progression (GmTSS ≤0). Clinical benefit was maintained - determined by ACR response, DAS28-ESR <2.6, EULAR good/moderate response and Boolean remission - as was physical function. The safety profile over 5 years was similar to that over 2 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Over 5 years, tocilizumab + MTX inhibited radiographic progression and maintained improvements in signs and symptoms and physical function in MTX-inadequate responders with active disease; no new safety signals occurred.

DSM-III-R classification of psychiatric symptoms in systemic lupus erythematosus

DSM-III-R criteria applied in the evaluation of 88 systemic lupus erythematosus patients revealed a point prevalence rate of 18.2% for psychiatric disorders, the most common diagnosis being adjustment disorder (11.4%). No patients had disorders compatible with a functional psychosis. Psychiatric morbidity was not associated with increased disease activity, corticosteroid use, brain magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities, or electroencephalogram abnormalities. High scores on a life event scale were associated with psychiatric disorders, suggesting that psychosocial stress is etiologically important. Cognitive testing showed that poor performance on the Stroop Colour-Word Inference Test was associated with psychiatric disorders.

Avascular necrosis of the hip in systemic lupus erythematosus: the role of magnetic resonance imaging

The value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the early diagnosis of avascular necrosis (AVN) of the hip in SLE was investigated. Twenty females with severe SLE were studied prospectively. Each underwent 6-monthly X-rays, technetium -99m (Tc-99m) pyrophosphate bone scans and MRI of the hips over a 3-yr period. AVN was diagnosed in five hips of three patients (15%) during the study period. It was confirmed histologically in three hips of two patients who underwent core decompression. Radiological evidence of AVN was present in two patients at diagnosis. One patient developed progressive radiological changes despite core decompression. Bone scintigraphy was abnormal at some stage in all three patients with AVN however failed to detect the early ischaemic stage of AVN. MRI was the most reliable investigation and was able to detect asymptomatic AVN prior to the appearance of radiological or scintigraphic abnormalities.

Musculoskeletal manifestations in hyperlipidaemia: a controlled study

Eighty eight patients with hyperlipidaemia (81 white patients from South Africa and seven patients of mixed race from the West Cape area) were studied. Forty eight had adult familial hypercholesterolaemia, 16 had juvenile familial hypercholesterolaemia, and 24 had mixed hyperlipidaemia (increased cholesterol and triglycerides). They were interviewed and examined and their musculoskeletal manifestations compared with 88 controls with normal lipid profiles, and matched for age, sex, and race for each group of patients. The following manifestations were significantly increased in the patients: (a) tendon xanthomas particularly of the tendo Achillis in patients with adult familial hypercholesterolaemia and mixed hyperlipidaemia; (b) tendo Achillis tendinitis in patients with adult familial hypercholesterolaemia and mixed hyperlipidaemia; and (c) oligoarthritis in patients with mixed hyperlipidaemia but not in those with adult familial hypercholesterolaemia. Migratory polyarthritis and transient tendo Achillis pain were rare. Thirty eight per cent of patients with juvenile familial hypercholesterolaemia had musculoskeletal system manifestations none of which was significantly increased compared with controls. There was a significant association between tendon xanthomas and tendo Achillis tendinitis. There was a significant difference in pretreatment cholesterol levels in the patients with adult familial hypercholesterolaemia and musculoskeletal system manifestations compared with those without and in all three groups combined. The study confirms an association between hyperlipidaemia and tendon xanthomas, tendo Achillis tendinitis, and to a lesser extent oligoarthritis but not migratory polyarthritis or transient tendo Achillis pain as reported in other studies. It also shows that musculoskeletal system manifestations antedated the diagnosis of hyperlipidaemia in 24/39 (62%) patients and that the manifestations improved or resolved completely in 19/30 (63%) patients after receiving lipid lowering treatment. It is therefore important to recognise the association between musculoskeletal system manifestations and hyperlipidaemia for diagnostic and therapeutic reasons.

Lupus nephritis. Part I. Histopathological classification, activity and chronicity scores

Renal biopsy has made a major contribution to the understanding and management of patients with lupus nephritis. In a 5-year retrospective study the renal morphology of 55 biopsies from 51 patients with lupus nephritis was classified according to World Health Organisation criteria. In addition, semi-quantitative activity and chronicity scores were documented. The findings were similar to series from other parts of the world. Of the biopsies reviewed, 6 were class II, 13 class III, 32 class IV and 4 class V. In situations of overlap, segmental proliferative features determined the class to which a biopsy specimen was assigned. Twenty-five of the patients, all WHO class IV, showed activity scores in the severe range. Most of the activity score features were common and easily recognised but necrotising angiitis was only seen in 1 patient. Haematoxylin bodies were difficult to document and the nature and value of the haematoxylin body is questioned.

Lupus nephritis. Part II. A clinicopathological correlation and study of outcome

A 5-year retrospective study of lupus nephritis at Tygerberg Hospital was performed in an attempt to document the clinical and histological spectrum of the disease and to study the outcome of the illness. Activity and chronicity scores were used in addition to the World Health Organisation classification system. Of 55 biopsies from 51 patients reviewed, 6 were class II, 13 class III, 32 class IV and 4 class V. There were 19 deaths and in 15 of these the histological classification was IV. Renal failure and infections, often with uncommon pathogens, were the most important causes of death. Serum creatinine values and creatinine clearance at the time of biopsy or follow-up, and hypertension at follow-up showed a significant relationship with outcome. WHO class IV was associated with a poor outcome (P = 0.048) when compared with the other WHO classes combined. Activity scores showed a significant relationship to the outcome (P = 0.018). The anticardiolipin antibodies IgG and IgM were not associated with WHO class or outcome. The study revealed a spectrum of histological results similar to that of other studies, with a high mortality rate, particularly in class IV disease. Poor renal function, persistent hypertension, histological classification IV, and high activity scores were found to be important prognostic indicators.

Syncope in the elderly. Report of 3 cases with sick sinus syndrome

Three cases of arrhythmia-induced syncope in the elderly are reported. The patients all showed some features of the sick sinus syndrome and had aortic ejection murmurs. Ventricular tachycardia occurred in 2 patients. The importance of trying to record an arrhythmia during a syncopal attack is stressed, as are the adverse effects of many drugs commonly prescribed in this age group. The relationship between the arrhythmias found and their association with aortic stenosis are discussed.