Maintained intentional weight loss reduces cardiovascular outcomes: results from the Sibutramine Cardiovascular OUTcomes (SCOUT) trial.

AIM: The Sibutramine Cardiovascular OUTcomes trial showed that sibutramine produced greater mean weight loss than placebo but increased cardiovascular morbidity but not mortality. The relationship between 12-month weight loss and subsequent cardiovascular outcomes is explored. METHODS: Overweight/obese subjects (N = 10 744), ≥55 years with cardiovascular disease and/or type 2 diabetes mellitus, received sibutramine plus weight management during a 6-week Lead-in Period before randomization to continue sibutramine (N = 4906) or to receive placebo (N = 4898). The primary endpoint was the time from randomization to first occurrence of a primary outcome event (non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke, resuscitated cardiac arrest or cardiovascular death). RESULTS: For the total population, mean weight change during Lead-in Period (sibutramine) was -2.54 kg. Post-randomization, mean total weight change to Month 12 was -4.18 kg (sibutramine) or -1.87 kg (placebo). Degree of weight loss during Lead-in Period or through Month 12 was associated with a progressive reduction in risk for the total population in primary outcome events and cardiovascular mortality over the 5-year assessment. Although more events occurred in the randomized sibutramine group, on an average, a modest weight loss of approximately 3 kg achieved in the Lead-in Period appeared to offset this increased event rate. Moderate weight loss (3-10 kg) reduced cardiovascular deaths in those with severe, moderate or mild cardiovascular disease. CONCLUSIONS: Modest weight loss over short-term (6 weeks) and longer-term (6-12 months) periods is associated with reduction in subsequent cardiovascular mortality for the following 4-5 years even in those with pre-existing cardiovascular disease. While the sibutramine group experienced more primary outcome events than the placebo group, greater weight loss reduced overall risk of these occurring in both groups.

Adalimumab for long-term treatment of psoriatic arthritis: 2-year data from the Adalimumab Effectiveness in Psoriatic Arthritis Trial (ADEPT).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term effectiveness and tolerability of adalimumab in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis (PsA). METHODS: Patients with PsA who completed a 24-week, double-blind study of adalimumab versus placebo were eligible to enroll in an open-label extension study and receive adalimumab 40 mg subcutaneously every other week for up to an additional 120 weeks. At the time of this analysis, available efficacy evaluations throughout 2 years of treatment (n = 245) included American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 20%, 50% and 70% improvement scores, measures of joint disease and skin disease, disability and quality of life; modified total Sharp scores (mTSS) were available for 2.75 years of treatment for patients who received adalimumab in the 24-week study. RESULTS: After 24 weeks of double-blind treatment, the mean change in mTSS was -0.2 for the adalimumab group (N = 144) and 1.0 for the placebo group (N = 152; p<0.001), and outcomes for all individual ACR component variables were significantly improved in adalimumab compared with placebo-treated patients. Compared with 24-week responses, inhibition of radiographic progression and improvements in joint disease were maintained in most patients during long-term, open-label adalimumab treatment. Also, improvements in skin disease were maintained, with >20% of patients achieving the strict criterion of psoriasis area and severity index 100. The nature and frequency of adverse events during long-term adalimumab treatment were consistent with the safety profile during short-term treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical and radiographic efficacy of adalimumab demonstrated during short-term treatment was sustained during long-term treatment. Adalimumab has a favourable risk-benefit profile in patients with PsA. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT00195689.

Adalimumab improves joint-related and skin-related functional impairment in patients with psoriatic arthritis: patient-reported outcomes of the Adalimumab Effectiveness in Psoriatic Arthritis Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of adalimumab on patient-reported outcomes of joint-related and skin-related functional impairment, health-related quality of life, fatigue and pain in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). METHODS: Patients with moderately- to severely- active PsA were treated with adalimumab, 40 mg, every other week, or placebo, in this 24-week, randomised, controlled trial. Patient-reported outcomes included the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ DI), Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36), the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-Fatigue) Scale and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). RESULTS: Adalimumab (n = 151) and placebo (n = 162) groups were comparable with respect to baseline demographics and disease severity. Significant changes from baseline in HAQ DI were reported for adalimumab v placebo (-0.4 v -0.1, p<0.001) at both 12 and 24 weeks. At week 24, significant improvements in the SF-36 domains of physical functioning, role-physical, bodily pain, general health, vitality and social functioning, as well as the physical component summary score, were observed for adalimumab versus placebo (p<0.01). These reported changes in HAQ DI and SF-36 were also clinically important. Significantly more patients treated with adalimumab had complete resolution of functional loss (HAQ DI = 0) and dermatological-related functional limitations (DLQI = 0) compared with placebo at weeks 12 and 24 (p< or =0.001). Adalimumab led to significantly greater improvements in FACIT-Fatigue scores, pain scores, and disease activity measures versus placebo at 12 and 24 weeks (p<0.001 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Adalimumab improved physical-related and dermatological-related functional limitations, HRQOL, fatigue and pain in patients with PsA treated for 24 weeks.