艾拉莫德联合甲氨蝶呤治疗类风湿性关节炎的临床疗效及对患者骨代谢的影响

目的 探讨艾拉莫德联合甲氨蝶呤治疗类风湿性关节炎(RA)的临床效果及对患者骨代谢的影响。方法 将我院收治的86例RA患者随机分为两组各43例。对照组采用甲氨蝶呤治疗,观察组采用艾拉莫德联合甲氨蝶呤治疗。比较两组的临床疗效、骨代谢指标(β-CTX、 TPINP、 N-MID)及不良反应发生情况。结果 观察组治疗总有效率为95.35%,明显高于对照组的81.40%(P<0.05)。治疗后,两组的β-CTX水平降低, TPINP、 N-MID水平升高(P<0.05);观察组的β-CTX水平明显低于对照组, TPINP、 N-MID水平高于对照组(P<0.05)。两组的不良反应发生率(9.30%vs. 6.98%)比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论 艾拉莫德联合甲氨蝶呤治疗RA效果显著,可有效改善患者的骨代谢,且安全性较高。     

Precautions before starting tofacitinib in persons with rheumatoid arthritis

Tofacitinib is an immunosuppressive and disease-modifying therapy in rheumatoid arthritis. It may result in many infections flaring up. It is important to take precautions of all kinds (cardiovascular, malignancy, infections etc.) before starting tofacitinib. In this article, we have highlighted important steps where we need to take precautions before starting tofacitinib.     

Treat-to-target strategy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Audit of adherence from real world clinical data

IntroductionThe current paradigm of the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) recommends achieving a state of remission or low disease activity through the treat-to-target strategy. Our study assesses adherence to this strategy.MethodPatients with RA (ACR-EULAR 2010 criteria) were included. From each centre, 19 patients were randomly selected. Clinical histories (CH) were assessed by independent auditors, checking compliance with predefined quality criteria. The study was approved by ethics committees.ResultsWe included 856 patients (mean age 54 years; 71% women). The use of a combined index (CI) was recorded in 61% of cases. Visits were recorded every 4 weeks using a CI in 4% of CH while attempts were made to achieve remission. Monitoring of disease activity every 6–8 months after reaching the target was recorded in 73% of cases.ConclusionsThe implementation of the treat-to-target strategy is barely recorded in patients with RA in routine clinical practice.     

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.     

Risk-stratified management strategies for HBV reactivation in RA patients receiving biological and targeted therapy: A narrative review

It is estimated that more than two billion people around the world have been infected by Hepatitis B virus (HBV). Reactivation of HBV (rHBV) is a potentially fatal complication after biological therapy. With the increasing use of biologics and targeted therapy in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who are refractory to conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, rHBV in those with past infection has become increasingly problematic, especially in HBV-endemic regions. Among those receiving biological therapy, the risk of rHBV varies according to the status of HBV infection and the degree of biologic-related immunosuppression. As rHBV is largely preventable, it is imperative that the risk status of rHBV in RA patients receiving biological and targeted therapy be stratified. Therefore, the aim of this review was to summarize the reported data on rHBV, and propose management strategies for RA patients with different risks of rHBV based on evidence presented in the current literature.     

Measuring disease activity and response to treatment in rheumatoid arthritis

Introduction: Effective treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) requires suppression of the underlying inflammation. Measurement of such inflammation, the disease activity, is mandatory to target treatment and maximize outcomes. However, this is not as straightforward as it may seem.

Areas covered: The many tools developed to measure disease activity in RA, from composite scores and patient-reported outcomes, to laboratory markers and imaging are discussed, with a focus on their utility in guiding therapy and assessing response. The complex issues in measuring disease activity in RA, whether in clinical trials or normal clinical practice, and in the context of national guidelines and recommendations, available time, and resources are considered.

Expert commentary: The key to effective management of RA is the rapid suppression of inflammation, ideally to remission, with maintenance of such remission. The aim is to prevent disability and maximize quality of life. Central to this is the ability to determine disease activity (potentially open to suppression) as opposed to damage (irreversible). A variety of measures are currently available, allowing better assessment of response to treatment. In the future, the development of predictive biomarkers allowing targeting of drugs may revolutionize this field and render the tools of today redundant.