Psoriatic arthritis treated by anti-TNFs: a monocentric trial of 102 cases in Auvergne, France.

OBJECTIVES: While several registries have already evaluated the retention of anti-TNF therapy in psoriatic arthritis (PsA), they sometimes reach divergent conclusions. Our study therefore sought to assess therapeutic retention rates and predictive factors of response in a patient cohort from Auvergne, France, followed up in routine clinical practice. METHODS: Medical records of all PsA patients treated from 2002 to May 2015 were analysed. PsA diagnosis was established based on the CASPAR criteria. RESULTS: In total, 102 patients were analysed, comprising 62 men (44.6±12.6 years) and 40 women (37.8±13.4). Mean PsA evolution was 2.7 years (0.8-11.2). The most common forms were peripheral (47/102, 45.1%) and mixed (46/102, 46.1%) PsA. The anti-TNF treatment initiated was etanercept in 47 cases (45.2%), adalimumab in 29 (27.9%), infliximab in 20 (19.2%), and golimumab in six [5.8%]. In 28 cases (27.4%), anti-TNF was associated with methotrexate (MTX). Overall, the median duration of anti-TNF retention was 76.5 months. The hazard ratios (HR) for treatment cessation did not significantly differ between the etanercept and monoclonal antibody groups (HR=1.35[0.96-1.93], p=0.08). After 5 years, approximately 30.8% of etanercept patients and 68.8% of monoclonal antibody patients (adalimumab 71.2%; infliximab 67.2%) were still being treated. Combining with MTX did not prolong the overall retention rate (HR=0.85[0.37-1.96], p=0.71). Tobacco use was predictive of discontinuation (p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates good anti-TNF treatment retention in PsA patients, as well as confirming the deleterious effect of smoking while providing no argument in favour of combined treatment with MTX to improve maintenance.

Retention rates of adalimumab, etanercept and infliximab as first-line biotherapy agent for rheumatoid arthritis patients in daily practice - Auvergne experience.

OBJECTIVE: To compare, in real-life conditions, the retention rates of anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) treatment (etanercept [ETN], adalimumab [ADA] and infliximab [IFX]) initiated as first-line biotherapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to evaluate, in case of failure, the switch to another anti-TNF or a non-anti-TNF biological. METHODS: Monocentric retrospective cohort including all patients with RA starting a first anti-TNF between 2001 and 2015. RESULTS: Among the 346 patients analyzed, 201 received ETN, 82 ADA and 63 IFX. The first anti-TNF was interrupted in 151 cases. The retention rates were 82.8%, 67.6%, 46.5%, 28.1% and 22.5% at 1, 2, 5, 10 and 15 years, respectively, with a median retention duration of 52.8 (18.9-136.2) months (ETN: 59.3 [19.1-NA), ADA: 79.9 [19.3-136.2] and IFX: 37.2 [17.5-134.5], P = 0.49). The predictive factors of discontinuation were active RA (Disease Activity Score of 28 joints - C-reactive protein [DAS28-CRP] hazards ratio [HR]: 1.22 [1.03-1.45]), inflammatory syndrome (erythrocyte sedimentation rate HR: 1.01 [1.0-1.02]; CRP HR: 1.00 [1.00-1.01]), absence of methotrexate treatment (HR: 0.60 [0.43-0.83]), and corticosteroid use (HR: 1.91 [1.31-2.78]). The patients who switched to another anti-TNF treatment had an inferior retention than those who switched to a non-anti-TNF treatment (HR: 0.39 [0.17-0.87], P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: In real life, there was no difference in retention among the three anti-TNF agents, and 25% of patients continued them at 15 years. After failure of an anti-TNF, the switch to a non-anti-TNF biotherapy showed better retention.

Retention rates of adalimumab, etanercept, and infliximab as first- or second-line biotherapies for spondyloarthritis patients in daily practice in Auvergne (France).

OBJECTIVE: To compare, in real-life settings, the retention rates of initial anti-tumor-necrosis factor (TNF) treatments (etanercept [ETN], adalimumab [ADA] and infliximab [IFX]) used as first-line biotherapy for axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), and evaluate treatment switches to another anti-TNF inhibitor in the event of treatment failure. METHODS: We analyzed the medical records of all SpA patients (Assessment in Ankylosing Spondylitis International Working Group axial criteria) treated with ETN, IFX or ADA between 2001 and February 2015. Drug retention rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by means of the Cox extended model. Sub-analyses were performed according to discontinuation reasons. RESULTS: Of the 249 SpA patients analyzed (135 radiographic cases, 114 non-radiographic), 102 received ETN, 62 ADA, and 85 IFX. In total, 103 discontinued treatment. The retention rates of IFX, ADA and ETN were 67%, 59% and 56% after 3 years; 62%, 42% and 47% after 5 years; 55%, 42% and 24% after 8 years; 53%, 42% and 12% after 10 years, respectively. In multivariate analyses, the predictive factors for retention were: low BASDAI score (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.02 [1.01-1.04]), high C-reactive protein levels (HR: 0.98 [0.97-0.99]), concomitant disease-modifying therapy (HR: 0.4 [0.21-0.75]), and radiographic SpA (HR: 1.5 [1.0-2.52]). In total, 61 patients switched to another anti-TNF therapy. No difference was observed among the three anti-TNF therapies regarding median retention duration, although the retention rate proved higher for treatment switches from one monoclonal antibody to another. CONCLUSION: The retention rate in SpA patients proved high, with retention for IFX superior to that of ETN.

Translation and adaptation of the French version of the Heart Disease Fact Questionnaire - Rheumatoid Arthritis (HDFQ-RA 1&2).

OBJECTIVES: Rheumatoid arthritis constitutes a cardiovascular risk factor as significant as diabetes, yet remains insufficiently managed. The Heart Disease Fact Questionnaire - Rheumatoid Arthritis (HDFQ-RA1&2) is a self-questionnaire that assesses patients' general knowledge about cardiovascular risk and more specifically associated with rheumatoid arthritis and its treatments. Objectives are to translate and adapt the HDFQ-RA into French and assess its psychometric properties in order for it to be used as instructional material by nurses in therapeutic education. METHODS: The questionnaire was translated into French and subsequently back-translated into English pursuant to the "Guidelines for the process of cross-cultural adaptation of self-report measures". Psychometric properties were evaluated in a sample of 60 rheumatoid arthritis patients (test-retest procedure) between June and December 2013. Item content, factor analysis, and Kuder-Richardson's-alpha were used to evaluate acceptability, internal consistency, and reproducibility. RESULTS: A culturally acceptable version for French patients was obtained. Cronbach's-alpha coefficient was higher than the usual recommended value of 0.6. Reproducibility was good (agreements measured by Kappa's coefficient >0.56 [recommended value=0.4]). Results showed that knowledge of cardiovascular risk was generally satisfactory (rate of correct responses ≥60%), but specific knowledge of the cardiovascular risk associated with rheumatoid arthritis remained poor, e.g. knowledge of the increased risk associated with rheumatoid arthritis (40% correct responses), higher risk with active rheumatoid arthritis, adverse effect of rheumatoid arthritis on lipid profile and the effects of corticosteroids and NSAIDs on cardiovascular risk. CONCLUSIONS: The French-HDFQ-RA is valid for assessing patient knowledge of cardiovascular risk in general and associated with rheumatoid arthritis and its treatments.

Changes in body composition and metabolic profile during interleukin 6 inhibition in rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by increased mortality associated with cardiometabolic disorders including dyslipidaemia, insulin resistance, and cachectic obesity. Tumour necrosis factor inhibitors and interleukin 6 receptor blocker licensed for the treatment of RA decrease inflammation and could thus improve cardiovascular risk, but their effects on body composition and metabolic profile need to be clarified. We investigated the effects of tocilizumab (TCZ), a humanized anti-interleukin 6 receptor antibody, on body composition and metabolic profile in patients treated for RA. METHODS: Twenty-one active RA patients treated with TCZ were included in a 1 year open follow-up study. Waist circumference, body mass index, blood pressure, lipid profile, fasting glucose, insulin, serum levels of adipokines and pancreatic/gastrointestinal hormones, and body composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) were measured at baseline and 6 and 12 months of treatment. At baseline, RA patients were compared with 21 non-RA controls matched for age, sex, body mass index, and metabolic syndrome. RESULTS: Compared with controls, body composition was altered in RA with a decrease in total and appendicular lean mass, whereas fat composition was not modified. Among RA patients, 28.6% had a skeletal muscle mass index below the cut-off point for sarcopaenia (4.8% of controls). After 1 year of treatment with TCZ, there was a significant weight gain without changes for fat mass. In contrast, an increase in lean mass was observed with a significant gain in appendicular lean mass and skeletal muscle mass index between 6 and 12 months. Distribution of the fat was modified with a decrease in trunk/peripheral fat ratio and an increase in subcutaneous adipose tissue. No changes for waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting glucose, and atherogenic index were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Despite weight gain during treatment with TCZ, no increase in fat but a modification in fat distribution was observed. In contrast, muscle gain suggests that blocking IL-6 might be efficient in treating sarcopaenia associated with RA.