Cost evolution of biological drugs in rheumatoid arthritis patients in a tertiary hospital: Influential factors on price

ObjectiveTo assess the evolution of cost per patient/year and the cost per patient/year/drug in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) receiving biological treatments. To analyze and quantify the factors influencing this evolution, such as the optimization of the biological drugs, the use of biosimilars, and official discounts and discounts obtained after negotiated procedures. In addition, to assess specific clinical parameters of disease activity in these patients.MethodsRetrospective, observational study conducted in a Spanish tertiary hospital. Adult patients diagnosed with RA under treatment from 2009 to 2017 were included.Results320, 270 and 389 patients were included in 2009, 2013 and 2017, respectively. The patient/year cost decreased from 10,789€ in 2009, 7491€ in 2013 to 7116€ in 2017. In 2017, due to the established competition, discounts of 14% and 29.5% were achieved on etanercept and its biosimilar; 11.5%, 17.8%, 17.9%, 17.3% on adalimumab, certolizumab, golimumab and tocilizumab IV respectively, and 24.6% and 43.1% on infliximab and its biosimilar. The percentage of patients optimized in 2017 was 35.2%. The annual saving in 2017 was 1,288,535€ (830,000€ due to dose optimization and/or administration regimens, 249,666€ corresponding to 7.5% of the official discount and 208,868€ after negotiated procedures).ConclusionThe annual cost per patient in RA decreased considerably due to different factors, such as discounts on the purchase of drugs due to official discounts and negotiated procedures, together with the optimization of therapies, the latter being the factor that contributed most to this decrease.     

Cognitive impairment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectiveAn increasing number of studies have demonstrated cognitive impairment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The literature indicates many factors play an important role in this clinical problem, such as the severity of depressive symptoms and the treatment used. The aim of this study was to systematically review studies comparing cognitive functioning between healthy participants and RA patients and to determine both the severity and potential moderators of cognitive impairment.MethodsFor this purpose, 16 studies that fulfilled all selection criteria were carefully selected. Altogether, 921 patients with RA (812 women and 109 men) and 700 controls participated in these studies. Due to the inability to perform a network meta-analysis, it was decided to determine the effect sizes for studies which used the same measurement methods.ResultsThe analysis demonstrated greater impairment of cognitive functioning in patients with RA than in healthy controls, with effect sizes ranging from small to large, depending on the assessment method used in the study.ConclusionsThe study pinpoints potential biases, lack of replication, and inconsistencies in reporting data as possible confounding factors and suggests further recommendations for assessment methods, research directions and clinical implications.Clinical trial registrationNot applicable.     

电针干预佐剂性关节炎大鼠踝关节滑膜细胞凋亡的MMP-3、MMP-9分子调节机制

目的观察电针干预对佐剂性关节炎大鼠踝关节滑膜细胞凋亡和相关蛋白基质金属蛋白酶-3(MMP-3)、基质金属蛋白酶-9(MMP-9)表达的影响。方法32只雄性SD大鼠被随机分为生理盐水组、模型组、电针干预组和假电针干预组,每组8只。生理盐水组大鼠在双侧足垫部注射模拟造模,其余大鼠用弗氏完全佐剂在双侧足垫部注射造模。电针干预组大鼠予以电针干预。假电针干预组予以假电针刺激处理。HE染色观察模型大鼠踝关节炎症进展情况,Tunnel法检测模型大鼠踝关节滑膜细胞凋亡情况,RT-PCR检测踝关节滑膜的MMP-3、MMP-9的mRNA表达,Western blot检测踝关节滑膜的MMP-3、MMP-9的蛋白表达。结果HE染色显示,电针干预组大鼠的关节炎症显著轻于模型组。Tunnel法检测,电针干预可以促进关节炎大鼠的滑膜细胞凋亡。RT-PCR和Western blot检测结果显示,电针干预可以显著降低关节炎大鼠踝关节滑膜组织中的MMP-3、MMP-9 mRNA和蛋白表达水平(P<0.05)。结论电针干预可以显著减轻佐剂性关节炎大鼠的关节炎症和增殖的滑膜细胞数量,其分子机制可能和电针降低局部的MMP-3、MMP-9蛋白的表达有关。     

保留足趾的自体复合第2足趾关节移植治疗手指关节炎

目的 探讨保留足趾的自体复合第2足趾关节移植治疗手指关节炎的临床疗效.方法 2016年2月至2018年6月,共收治创伤性手指关节炎9例,其中男7例,女2例;年龄19~53岁,平均31.7岁;示指3例,中指6例;掌指关节(MP)关节炎4例,近侧指骨间关节(PIP)关节炎5例;均为创伤后继发的手指关节炎.采用游离带血供的自体复合第2足趾跖趾或趾骨间关节移植进行治疗,同时将受区废弃关节(7例)或切取自体髂骨移植(2例)修复供区骨缺损保留足趾长度,供区创面均直接关闭.术后观察手指和足趾骨折愈合情况、外形、移植关节活动度(ROM)、术后供区愈合情况和行走功能及相关并发症.结果 本组术后9例移植关节全部成活,1例足部供区行髂骨植骨微型钢板固定,术后1周伤口不愈合,考虑为内固定物排异反应,予拆除钢板改克氏针交叉固定,2周后创口顺利愈合.术后随访6~30个月,平均16.3个月.手指骨折平均愈合时间7~10周,平均8.3周,手指外观及功能良好.移植后的MP活动度为50°~75°,平均65.3°,PIP活动度为10°~85°,平均60.6°.根据中华医学会手外科学分会上肢部分功能评定试用标准评价手指功能:优5例,良3例,可1例,优良率为88.9%.足趾骨折平均愈合时间9~12周,平均10.2周,所有患者足趾外形良好,行走功能正常.2例取髂骨患者供区仅残留一条线形瘢痕,无疼痛、麻木等不适.结论 游离带血供的自体复合第2足趾关节移植治疗手指关节炎,同时应用受区废弃关节或切取自体髂骨移植修复供区骨缺损保留足趾,不仅能恢复手指关节的正常结构,使关节具有良好的功能,而且能保留足趾外形与功能,减少供区损伤,具有良好的治疗效果.     

二妙散对类风湿关节炎调控基因Toll样受体4和重组牛磷酸肌醇3激酶A表达的影响

目的研究二妙散对类风湿关节炎(RA)调控基因Toll样受体(TLR4)和重组牛磷酸肌醇3激酶A(PI3KA)表达的影响。方法通过构建Wistar大鼠胶原诱导性关节炎(CIA)模型,不同浓度二妙散灌胃治疗,酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测血清中炎症因子的表达,苏木精-伊红(HE)染色进行病理学分析,实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应(qRT-PCR)分析TLR4和PI3KA的表达特性。结果二妙散组与CIA模型组相比,脾脏指数差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);CIA模型组与对照组相比,脾脏指数显著降低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);二妙散组滑膜组织炎性细胞较少;较正常组白细胞介素(IL)-6和肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)-α表达量极显著降低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01,P<0.05),较模型组显著降低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);随二妙散浓度增加IL-37表达量显著增加,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05,P<0.01)。模型组大鼠关节中IL-6、TLR4和PI3KA mRNA水平表达量极显著高于对照组和甲氨蝶呤组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论本实验成功构建CIA大鼠模型,TLR4和PI3KA在不同实验组大鼠关节组织中均有不同程度的表达,说明TLR4和PI3KA参与CIA大鼠炎性反应的形成,介导RA炎性因子的形成和发展,二妙散对于减少炎症因子和增加抑炎因子的表达具有重要作用,具体作用机制需进一步研究证实。