CanVasc consensus recommendations for the use of avacopan in antineutrophil cytoplasm antibody-associated vasculitis: 2022 addendum.

OBJECTIVE: In 2020, the Canadian Vasculitis Research Network (CanVasc) published their updated recommendations for the management of ANCA-associated vasculitides (AAV). The current addendum provides further recommendations regarding the use of avacopan in AAV based on a review of newly available evidence. METHODS: An updated systematic literature review on avacopan (formerly, CCX168) using Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Library was performed for publications up to September 2022. New recommendations were developed and categorized according to the EULAR grading levels, as done for previous CanVasc recommendations. A modified Delphi procedure and videoconferences were used to reach ≥80% consensus on the inclusion, wording and grading of each recommendation. RESULTS: Three new recommendations were developed. They focus on avacopan therapy indication and duration, as well as timely glucocorticoid tapering. CONCLUSION: These 2022 addended recommendations provide rheumatologists, nephrologists and other specialists caring for patients with AAV with guidance for the use of avacopan, based on current evidence and consensus from Canadian experts.

Predictors of drug retention and treatment response in axial spondyloarthritis patients treated with certolizumab: real-life results from the HURBIO registry.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the real-life retention rate of certolizumab and factors related to retention of certolizumab. METHODS: We analysed all patients who received at least 1 dose of certolizumab and were registered in the HURBIO database. Patients with at least 1 control visit were included in efficacy analysis. Drug retention rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and predictors of drug retention was determined by Cox proportional hazard model. Factors predicting BASDAI50 response at first visit were analysed by the logistic regression analysis. Reasons of switching and discontinuation were also determined. RESULTS: A total of 325 (AS (76%), female 55%) patients were recruited. Median follow-up while receiving certolizumab was 13 (4.7-22.7) months. At 1 year, overall certolizumab retention rate was 72.5%. Predictors of poor certolizumab retention were: Current or ex-smoker [HR 1.11 (0.70-1.76), p=0.65], high CRP levels [HR 0.72 (0.45-1.16), p=0.18], biologic-naïve [HR 0.81 (0.49-1.32), p=0.39] and good BASDAI50 response at first control visit [HR 0.54 (0.30-0.96), p=0.04]. Mean duration from starting certolizumab to the first control visit was 3 (3-6) months. Predictors of poor BASDAI50 response: Presence of nr-axSpa [RR 2.12 (1.01-4.51), p=0.05], female gender [RR 2.14 (1.20-3.82), p=0.01] and history of biologic therapy [RR 3.52 (1.95-6.33), p<0.001]. The most common causes of drug switch were primary failure and drug side-effects. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, good BASDAI50 response at first visit seems to be a strong predictor of higher retention of certolizumab in patients with axial spondyloarthritis.

Addressing Glucocorticoid-Related Problems with the Clinical Pharmacist Collaboration in Rheumatology Practice: A Prospective Follow-Up Study.

INTRODUCTION: Glucocorticoids (GCs) play a crucial role in the treatment of many rheumatic diseases regarding their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects. Inappropriate use of GCs can exacerbate GC-related problems besides complex treatment regimens and miscellaneous well-established adverse events. Although several guidelines exist for managing these problems, there is lack of real-life studies evaluating the problems at the patient level. This study aims to identify GC-related problems among patients with rheumatic diseases and address how they have been solved. METHODS: This prospective follow-up study was conducted between January 2021 and June 2022 at a university rheumatology outpatient clinic and included patients using GCs. A clinical pharmacist assessed patients for possible GC-related problems at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Identified problems, their causes, interventions to address these problems, and their outcomes were categorized using the Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe (PCNE v9.1) classification system. The resolution of the problems was evaluated at the patient's next follow-up visit. RESULTS: A total of 156 patients were included, and 236 GC-related problems were identified in 66% of the patients. Adverse drug events (possible) accounted for the highest proportion of GC-related problems (94.1%), and the most common causes were lack of laboratory monitoring of GC-related adverse events (41.5%) and lack of drug treatment despite existing indications (39.8%). The median cumulative prednisolone dose was higher in patients with GC-related problems (3115 vs. 5455 mg, p = 0.007). The clinical pharmacist suggested 381 interventions: 47.7% (n = 182) at the 'prescriber level', 31.8% (n = 121) at the 'patient level', and 20.5% (n = 78) at the 'drug level'. Of those interventions, 98% were accepted, and 80.1% of the problems were solved. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the prevalence of GC-related problems is high in patients with rheumatic diseases. Integrating clinical pharmacists into the multidisciplinary rheumatology team provides an advantage in effectively identifying and managing GC-related problems at an early stage.