Clinical Edge Journal Scan

Key clinical point: Peficitinib reduced the progression of joint damage compared with placebo in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who responded inadequately to prior methotrexate.

Major finding: At week 28/early termination, the mean change in overall erosion score and overall joint space narrowing score in patients receiving 100 mg and 150 mg peficitinib vs. placebo was 0.63 ± 2.03 and 0.18 ± 1.10 vs. 1.35 ± 3.01, and 0.99 ± 2.86 and 0.82 ± 2.39 vs. 1.90 ± 3.76, respectively.

Study details: This was a post hoc analysis of phase 3 trial, RAJ4, which included 481 patients with RA who had an inadequate response to methotrexate who were randomly assigned to receive 100 mg or 150 mg peficitinib or placebo, in combination with methotrexate, for 52 weeks.

Disclosures: This study was initiated and supported by Astellas Pharma Inc. Y Tanaka and T Takeuchi reported receiving speaking fees, honoraria, research grants, or consulting fees from various sources. Five authors reported being employees of Astellas Pharma Inc.

Source: Tanaka Y et al. Post hoc analysis of clinical characteristics of patients with radiographic progression in a Japanese phase 3 trial of peficitinib and methotrexate treatment (RAJ4). Mod Rheumatol. 2022 (Mar 10). Doi: 10.1093/mr/roac021

Key clinical point: Peficitinib reduced the progression of joint damage compared with placebo in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who responded inadequately to prior methotrexate.

Major finding: At week 28/early termination, the mean change in overall erosion score and overall joint space narrowing score in patients receiving 100 mg and 150 mg peficitinib vs. placebo was 0.63 ± 2.03 and 0.18 ± 1.10 vs. 1.35 ± 3.01, and 0.99 ± 2.86 and 0.82 ± 2.39 vs. 1.90 ± 3.76, respectively.

Study details: This was a post hoc analysis of phase 3 trial, RAJ4, which included 481 patients with RA who had an inadequate response to methotrexate who were randomly assigned to receive 100 mg or 150 mg peficitinib or placebo, in combination with methotrexate, for 52 weeks.

Disclosures: This study was initiated and supported by Astellas Pharma Inc. Y Tanaka and T Takeuchi reported receiving speaking fees, honoraria, research grants, or consulting fees from various sources. Five authors reported being employees of Astellas Pharma Inc.

Source: Tanaka Y et al. Post hoc analysis of clinical characteristics of patients with radiographic progression in a Japanese phase 3 trial of peficitinib and methotrexate treatment (RAJ4). Mod Rheumatol. 2022 (Mar 10). Doi: 10.1093/mr/roac021

Key clinical point: Peficitinib reduced the progression of joint damage compared with placebo in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who responded inadequately to prior methotrexate.

Major finding: At week 28/early termination, the mean change in overall erosion score and overall joint space narrowing score in patients receiving 100 mg and 150 mg peficitinib vs. placebo was 0.63 ± 2.03 and 0.18 ± 1.10 vs. 1.35 ± 3.01, and 0.99 ± 2.86 and 0.82 ± 2.39 vs. 1.90 ± 3.76, respectively.

Study details: This was a post hoc analysis of phase 3 trial, RAJ4, which included 481 patients with RA who had an inadequate response to methotrexate who were randomly assigned to receive 100 mg or 150 mg peficitinib or placebo, in combination with methotrexate, for 52 weeks.

Disclosures: This study was initiated and supported by Astellas Pharma Inc. Y Tanaka and T Takeuchi reported receiving speaking fees, honoraria, research grants, or consulting fees from various sources. Five authors reported being employees of Astellas Pharma Inc.

Source: Tanaka Y et al. Post hoc analysis of clinical characteristics of patients with radiographic progression in a Japanese phase 3 trial of peficitinib and methotrexate treatment (RAJ4). Mod Rheumatol. 2022 (Mar 10). Doi: 10.1093/mr/roac021

Key clinical point: Patients with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) were at higher risk of developing nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) infection in mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) endemic areas.

Major finding: Patients with seropositive RA from an MTB endemic area, who were treated with vs. without TNFi were at a significantly higher risk for NTM infection (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.751; 95% CI 1.105-2.774), with females (aHR 2.108), patients aged 50-65 years (aHR 2.018), and patients without comorbidities (aHR 1.742; all P < .001) at higher risk of developing NTM infection after TNFi treatment.

Study details: This was a retrospective, population-based longitudinal cohort study including patients with seropositive RA. Of these, 1089 patients treated with TNFI were propensity-matched with 4356 untreated patients.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the research fund of Hanyang University, Republic of Korea. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Park DW et al. The impact of tofacitinib on fatigue, sleep, and health-related quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a post hoc analysis of data from Phase 3 trials. Sci Rep. 2022;12:4003 (Mar 7). Doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-07968-w

Key clinical point: Patients with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) were at higher risk of developing nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) infection in mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) endemic areas.

Major finding: Patients with seropositive RA from an MTB endemic area, who were treated with vs. without TNFi were at a significantly higher risk for NTM infection (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.751; 95% CI 1.105-2.774), with females (aHR 2.108), patients aged 50-65 years (aHR 2.018), and patients without comorbidities (aHR 1.742; all P < .001) at higher risk of developing NTM infection after TNFi treatment.

Study details: This was a retrospective, population-based longitudinal cohort study including patients with seropositive RA. Of these, 1089 patients treated with TNFI were propensity-matched with 4356 untreated patients.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the research fund of Hanyang University, Republic of Korea. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Park DW et al. The impact of tofacitinib on fatigue, sleep, and health-related quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a post hoc analysis of data from Phase 3 trials. Sci Rep. 2022;12:4003 (Mar 7). Doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-07968-w

Key clinical point: Patients with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) were at higher risk of developing nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) infection in mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) endemic areas.

Major finding: Patients with seropositive RA from an MTB endemic area, who were treated with vs. without TNFi were at a significantly higher risk for NTM infection (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.751; 95% CI 1.105-2.774), with females (aHR 2.108), patients aged 50-65 years (aHR 2.018), and patients without comorbidities (aHR 1.742; all P < .001) at higher risk of developing NTM infection after TNFi treatment.

Study details: This was a retrospective, population-based longitudinal cohort study including patients with seropositive RA. Of these, 1089 patients treated with TNFI were propensity-matched with 4356 untreated patients.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the research fund of Hanyang University, Republic of Korea. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Park DW et al. The impact of tofacitinib on fatigue, sleep, and health-related quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a post hoc analysis of data from Phase 3 trials. Sci Rep. 2022;12:4003 (Mar 7). Doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-07968-w

Key clinical point: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) showed greater clinically meaningful improvements in fatigue, sleep, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) with tofacitinib vs. placebo over 6 months, with improvements sustained up to 12 months.

Major finding: The Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F) total score, Medical Outcomes Study Sleep scale (MOS-SS) Sleep Problems Index I and II scores, and Short Form-36 Health Survey (Physical/Mental Component Summary) score improved significantly with both  5 mg or 10 mg tofacitinib doses vs. placebo at months 1, 3, and 6 (all P < .05). Improvement in FACIT-F and MOS-SS scores were significantly better with 10 mg tofacitinib vs. adalimumab at 6 and 12 months (all P < .05).

Study details: This was a post hoc analysis of three phase 3 trials including 2265 patients with RA who received tofacitinib, placebo, or adalimumab.

Disclosures: This study was sponsored by Pfizer Inc. C Murray, D Gruben, and DA Gold declared being employees and stockholders of Pfizer. Some authors declared being on steering committees, boards of directors, or speakers’ bureaus or receiving consulting fees or research grants from various sources, including Pfizer.

Source: Bartlett SJ et al. The impact of tofacitinib on fatigue, sleep, and health-related quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a post hoc analysis of data from phase 3 trials. Arthritis Res Ther. 2022;24:83 (Apr 5). Doi: 10.1186/s13075-022-02724-x

Key clinical point: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) showed greater clinically meaningful improvements in fatigue, sleep, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) with tofacitinib vs. placebo over 6 months, with improvements sustained up to 12 months.

Major finding: The Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F) total score, Medical Outcomes Study Sleep scale (MOS-SS) Sleep Problems Index I and II scores, and Short Form-36 Health Survey (Physical/Mental Component Summary) score improved significantly with both  5 mg or 10 mg tofacitinib doses vs. placebo at months 1, 3, and 6 (all P < .05). Improvement in FACIT-F and MOS-SS scores were significantly better with 10 mg tofacitinib vs. adalimumab at 6 and 12 months (all P < .05).

Study details: This was a post hoc analysis of three phase 3 trials including 2265 patients with RA who received tofacitinib, placebo, or adalimumab.

Disclosures: This study was sponsored by Pfizer Inc. C Murray, D Gruben, and DA Gold declared being employees and stockholders of Pfizer. Some authors declared being on steering committees, boards of directors, or speakers’ bureaus or receiving consulting fees or research grants from various sources, including Pfizer.

Source: Bartlett SJ et al. The impact of tofacitinib on fatigue, sleep, and health-related quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a post hoc analysis of data from phase 3 trials. Arthritis Res Ther. 2022;24:83 (Apr 5). Doi: 10.1186/s13075-022-02724-x

Key clinical point: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) showed greater clinically meaningful improvements in fatigue, sleep, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) with tofacitinib vs. placebo over 6 months, with improvements sustained up to 12 months.

Major finding: The Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F) total score, Medical Outcomes Study Sleep scale (MOS-SS) Sleep Problems Index I and II scores, and Short Form-36 Health Survey (Physical/Mental Component Summary) score improved significantly with both  5 mg or 10 mg tofacitinib doses vs. placebo at months 1, 3, and 6 (all P < .05). Improvement in FACIT-F and MOS-SS scores were significantly better with 10 mg tofacitinib vs. adalimumab at 6 and 12 months (all P < .05).

Study details: This was a post hoc analysis of three phase 3 trials including 2265 patients with RA who received tofacitinib, placebo, or adalimumab.

Disclosures: This study was sponsored by Pfizer Inc. C Murray, D Gruben, and DA Gold declared being employees and stockholders of Pfizer. Some authors declared being on steering committees, boards of directors, or speakers’ bureaus or receiving consulting fees or research grants from various sources, including Pfizer.

Source: Bartlett SJ et al. The impact of tofacitinib on fatigue, sleep, and health-related quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a post hoc analysis of data from phase 3 trials. Arthritis Res Ther. 2022;24:83 (Apr 5). Doi: 10.1186/s13075-022-02724-x

Key clinical point: Children of mothers, but not fathers, with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were predisposed to the risk of developing multiple mental disorders.

Major finding: Children of mothers with RA had a significantly higher risk for autism spectrum disorders (odds ratio [OR] 1.49; 95% CI 1.01-2.20), bipolar disorder (OR 1.47; 95% CI 1.20-1.81), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (OR 1.37; 95% CI 1.17-1.60), and major depressive disorder (OR 1.20; 95% CI 1.05-1.37), with no risk for these disorders observed in children of fathers with RA.

Study details: This was a retrospective cohort study including 23,981 RA-parent-child pairs and age-/sex-matched 239,810 non-RA-parent-child pairs.

Disclosures: This study received research grants from Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Yen

Tjing Ling Medical Foundation, and the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Chiu HJ et al. A nationwide study of the risks of major mental disorders among the offspring of parents with rheumatoid arthritis. Sci Rep. 2022;12:4962 (Mar 23). Doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-08834-5

Key clinical point: Children of mothers, but not fathers, with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were predisposed to the risk of developing multiple mental disorders.

Major finding: Children of mothers with RA had a significantly higher risk for autism spectrum disorders (odds ratio [OR] 1.49; 95% CI 1.01-2.20), bipolar disorder (OR 1.47; 95% CI 1.20-1.81), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (OR 1.37; 95% CI 1.17-1.60), and major depressive disorder (OR 1.20; 95% CI 1.05-1.37), with no risk for these disorders observed in children of fathers with RA.

Study details: This was a retrospective cohort study including 23,981 RA-parent-child pairs and age-/sex-matched 239,810 non-RA-parent-child pairs.

Disclosures: This study received research grants from Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Yen

Tjing Ling Medical Foundation, and the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Chiu HJ et al. A nationwide study of the risks of major mental disorders among the offspring of parents with rheumatoid arthritis. Sci Rep. 2022;12:4962 (Mar 23). Doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-08834-5

Key clinical point: Children of mothers, but not fathers, with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were predisposed to the risk of developing multiple mental disorders.

Major finding: Children of mothers with RA had a significantly higher risk for autism spectrum disorders (odds ratio [OR] 1.49; 95% CI 1.01-2.20), bipolar disorder (OR 1.47; 95% CI 1.20-1.81), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (OR 1.37; 95% CI 1.17-1.60), and major depressive disorder (OR 1.20; 95% CI 1.05-1.37), with no risk for these disorders observed in children of fathers with RA.

Study details: This was a retrospective cohort study including 23,981 RA-parent-child pairs and age-/sex-matched 239,810 non-RA-parent-child pairs.

Disclosures: This study received research grants from Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Yen

Tjing Ling Medical Foundation, and the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Chiu HJ et al. A nationwide study of the risks of major mental disorders among the offspring of parents with rheumatoid arthritis. Sci Rep. 2022;12:4962 (Mar 23). Doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-08834-5

Key clinical point: Patients with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were at a higher risk of developing primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) compared with matched control participants, with risk being evident within 2 years after RA diagnosis and among patients aged ≥75 years.

Major finding: Compared with matched control participants, patients with incident RA were 1.44 times more likely to develop POAG (hazard ratio [HR] 1.44; 95% CI 1.13-1.84), which was predominantly observed within 2 years of RA diagnosis (HR 1.83; 95% CI 1.28-2.61) and in patients aged ≥75 years (HR 2.12;95% CI 1.34-3.35).

Study details: This was a retrospective, nationwide cohort study including 2049 patients with seropositive RA who were propensity score-matched with 8196 control participants without RA.

Disclosures: This study was partly supported by the publication fee from the Graduate School of Public Health, Yonsei University. No conflicts of interest were declared.

Source: Kim SH et al. Development of open-angle glaucoma in adults with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis in Korea. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(3):e223345 (Mar 21). Doi:  10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.3345

Key clinical point: Patients with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were at a higher risk of developing primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) compared with matched control participants, with risk being evident within 2 years after RA diagnosis and among patients aged ≥75 years.

Major finding: Compared with matched control participants, patients with incident RA were 1.44 times more likely to develop POAG (hazard ratio [HR] 1.44; 95% CI 1.13-1.84), which was predominantly observed within 2 years of RA diagnosis (HR 1.83; 95% CI 1.28-2.61) and in patients aged ≥75 years (HR 2.12;95% CI 1.34-3.35).

Study details: This was a retrospective, nationwide cohort study including 2049 patients with seropositive RA who were propensity score-matched with 8196 control participants without RA.

Disclosures: This study was partly supported by the publication fee from the Graduate School of Public Health, Yonsei University. No conflicts of interest were declared.

Source: Kim SH et al. Development of open-angle glaucoma in adults with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis in Korea. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(3):e223345 (Mar 21). Doi:  10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.3345

Key clinical point: Patients with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were at a higher risk of developing primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) compared with matched control participants, with risk being evident within 2 years after RA diagnosis and among patients aged ≥75 years.

Major finding: Compared with matched control participants, patients with incident RA were 1.44 times more likely to develop POAG (hazard ratio [HR] 1.44; 95% CI 1.13-1.84), which was predominantly observed within 2 years of RA diagnosis (HR 1.83; 95% CI 1.28-2.61) and in patients aged ≥75 years (HR 2.12;95% CI 1.34-3.35).

Study details: This was a retrospective, nationwide cohort study including 2049 patients with seropositive RA who were propensity score-matched with 8196 control participants without RA.

Disclosures: This study was partly supported by the publication fee from the Graduate School of Public Health, Yonsei University. No conflicts of interest were declared.

Source: Kim SH et al. Development of open-angle glaucoma in adults with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis in Korea. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(3):e223345 (Mar 21). Doi:  10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.3345

Key clinical point: Some patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) had excess disability despite low inflammation level. This persisted over 8-10 years after onset, with age, pain, and depression being significant predictors of disability, independent of inflammation.

Major finding: Nearly 30%-45% of patients with RA persistently showed excess disability over 8-10 years of follow-up, independent of their inflammation status. Patients who were older (odds ratio [OR] 1.05; 95% CI 1.02-1.09) or had higher pain (OR 1.48; 95% CI 1.23-1.78) or depression (OR 1.40; 95% CI 1.01-1.94) were more likely to have higher vs. lower disability trajectory, irrespective of their inflammation level.

Study details: Findings are from an analysis of three cohort studies including 2500 patients with RA and <24 months symptom duration who were followed-up for 8-10 years.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the UK Medical Research Council, Versus Arthritis, UK National Institute for Health Care and Research (NIHR) Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, and NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre. The authors declared no competing interests directly relevant to this manuscript.

Source: Gwinnutt JM et al. Exploring the disparity between inflammation and disability in the 10-year outcomes of people with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2022 (Mar 11). Doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keac137

Key clinical point: Some patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) had excess disability despite low inflammation level. This persisted over 8-10 years after onset, with age, pain, and depression being significant predictors of disability, independent of inflammation.

Major finding: Nearly 30%-45% of patients with RA persistently showed excess disability over 8-10 years of follow-up, independent of their inflammation status. Patients who were older (odds ratio [OR] 1.05; 95% CI 1.02-1.09) or had higher pain (OR 1.48; 95% CI 1.23-1.78) or depression (OR 1.40; 95% CI 1.01-1.94) were more likely to have higher vs. lower disability trajectory, irrespective of their inflammation level.

Study details: Findings are from an analysis of three cohort studies including 2500 patients with RA and <24 months symptom duration who were followed-up for 8-10 years.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the UK Medical Research Council, Versus Arthritis, UK National Institute for Health Care and Research (NIHR) Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, and NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre. The authors declared no competing interests directly relevant to this manuscript.

Source: Gwinnutt JM et al. Exploring the disparity between inflammation and disability in the 10-year outcomes of people with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2022 (Mar 11). Doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keac137

Key clinical point: Some patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) had excess disability despite low inflammation level. This persisted over 8-10 years after onset, with age, pain, and depression being significant predictors of disability, independent of inflammation.

Major finding: Nearly 30%-45% of patients with RA persistently showed excess disability over 8-10 years of follow-up, independent of their inflammation status. Patients who were older (odds ratio [OR] 1.05; 95% CI 1.02-1.09) or had higher pain (OR 1.48; 95% CI 1.23-1.78) or depression (OR 1.40; 95% CI 1.01-1.94) were more likely to have higher vs. lower disability trajectory, irrespective of their inflammation level.

Study details: Findings are from an analysis of three cohort studies including 2500 patients with RA and <24 months symptom duration who were followed-up for 8-10 years.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the UK Medical Research Council, Versus Arthritis, UK National Institute for Health Care and Research (NIHR) Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, and NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre. The authors declared no competing interests directly relevant to this manuscript.

Source: Gwinnutt JM et al. Exploring the disparity between inflammation and disability in the 10-year outcomes of people with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2022 (Mar 11). Doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keac137

Key clinical point: A majority of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) stopped their first-time biological or targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (b/tsDMARD) because of nonresponse to the treatment. Patients who stopped because of remission vs. nonresponse had worse disease activity at treatment restart.

Major finding: Nonresponse (38%), adverse events (19%), and remission (8%) were the major reasons to stop the first-time b/tsDMARD, with the median time to restart treatment being shortest among patients with nonresponse (30 days) and longest among those with remission (1597 days). Moreover, RA disease activity was worse at b/tsDMARD restart in patients who stopped b/tsDMARD after achieving remission (P < .0001).

Study details: This was an explorative descriptive cohort study including 2526 patients with RA who stopped their first b/tsDMARD treatment.

Disclosures: The study did not declare any source of funding. No conflicts of interest were declared.

Source: Burkard T et al. Interruptions of biological and targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in rheumatoid arthritis: a descriptive cohort study assessing trends in patient characteristics in Switzerland. BMJ Open. 2022;12:e056352 (Mar 15). Doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-056352

Key clinical point: A majority of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) stopped their first-time biological or targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (b/tsDMARD) because of nonresponse to the treatment. Patients who stopped because of remission vs. nonresponse had worse disease activity at treatment restart.

Major finding: Nonresponse (38%), adverse events (19%), and remission (8%) were the major reasons to stop the first-time b/tsDMARD, with the median time to restart treatment being shortest among patients with nonresponse (30 days) and longest among those with remission (1597 days). Moreover, RA disease activity was worse at b/tsDMARD restart in patients who stopped b/tsDMARD after achieving remission (P < .0001).

Study details: This was an explorative descriptive cohort study including 2526 patients with RA who stopped their first b/tsDMARD treatment.

Disclosures: The study did not declare any source of funding. No conflicts of interest were declared.

Source: Burkard T et al. Interruptions of biological and targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in rheumatoid arthritis: a descriptive cohort study assessing trends in patient characteristics in Switzerland. BMJ Open. 2022;12:e056352 (Mar 15). Doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-056352

Key clinical point: A majority of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) stopped their first-time biological or targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (b/tsDMARD) because of nonresponse to the treatment. Patients who stopped because of remission vs. nonresponse had worse disease activity at treatment restart.

Major finding: Nonresponse (38%), adverse events (19%), and remission (8%) were the major reasons to stop the first-time b/tsDMARD, with the median time to restart treatment being shortest among patients with nonresponse (30 days) and longest among those with remission (1597 days). Moreover, RA disease activity was worse at b/tsDMARD restart in patients who stopped b/tsDMARD after achieving remission (P < .0001).

Study details: This was an explorative descriptive cohort study including 2526 patients with RA who stopped their first b/tsDMARD treatment.

Disclosures: The study did not declare any source of funding. No conflicts of interest were declared.

Source: Burkard T et al. Interruptions of biological and targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in rheumatoid arthritis: a descriptive cohort study assessing trends in patient characteristics in Switzerland. BMJ Open. 2022;12:e056352 (Mar 15). Doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-056352

Key clinical point: Higher levels of circulating adiponectin and leptin were associated with an increased risk for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Major finding: Patients in the highest vs. lowest quartile of adiponectin were at a 46% higher risk for all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.46; P = .009) and an 85% higher risk for cardiovascular mortality (HR 1.85; P = .003). Patients in the highest vs. lowest quartile of both adiponectin and leptin were at a 73% higher risk for all-cause mortality (HR 1.73; P = .002).

Study details: This was a longitudinal study including 2583 patients with RA.

Disclosures: This study did not declare any source of funding. JF Baker and TR MIkuls reported receiving consulting fees and research support from various sources.

Source: Baker JF et al. Elevations in adipocytokines and mortality in rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2022 Mar 23. Doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keac191

Key clinical point: Higher levels of circulating adiponectin and leptin were associated with an increased risk for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Major finding: Patients in the highest vs. lowest quartile of adiponectin were at a 46% higher risk for all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.46; P = .009) and an 85% higher risk for cardiovascular mortality (HR 1.85; P = .003). Patients in the highest vs. lowest quartile of both adiponectin and leptin were at a 73% higher risk for all-cause mortality (HR 1.73; P = .002).

Study details: This was a longitudinal study including 2583 patients with RA.

Disclosures: This study did not declare any source of funding. JF Baker and TR MIkuls reported receiving consulting fees and research support from various sources.

Source: Baker JF et al. Elevations in adipocytokines and mortality in rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2022 Mar 23. Doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keac191

Key clinical point: Higher levels of circulating adiponectin and leptin were associated with an increased risk for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Major finding: Patients in the highest vs. lowest quartile of adiponectin were at a 46% higher risk for all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.46; P = .009) and an 85% higher risk for cardiovascular mortality (HR 1.85; P = .003). Patients in the highest vs. lowest quartile of both adiponectin and leptin were at a 73% higher risk for all-cause mortality (HR 1.73; P = .002).

Study details: This was a longitudinal study including 2583 patients with RA.

Disclosures: This study did not declare any source of funding. JF Baker and TR MIkuls reported receiving consulting fees and research support from various sources.

Source: Baker JF et al. Elevations in adipocytokines and mortality in rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2022 Mar 23. Doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keac191

Key clinical point: Frailty may be partially reversible with treatment in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and is associated with a greater risk for hospitalization and all-cause mortality in early and established RA.

Major finding: Patients with early RA improved from moderate/severe frailty to mild (33%) and robust (13%) states in the first 6 months of treatment with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. In early and established RA, the moderate/severe vs. robust frailty level was associated with unscheduled hospitalization (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 2.88; 95% CI 1.97-4.20, and IRR 2.74; 95% CI 2.29-3.29, respectively) and all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 4.41; 95% CI 1.85-10.49 and HR 1.68; 95% CI 1.26-2.13, respectively).

Study details: This was a longitudinal analysis of two cohorts including 899 and 3605 patients with early and established RA, respectively.

Disclosures: No information on funding was reported. No conflicts of interest were declared.

Source: Hanlon P et al. Frailty in rheumatoid arthritis and its relationship with disease activity, hospitalisation and mortality: a longitudinal analysis of the Scottish Early Rheumatoid Arthritis cohort and UK Biobank. RMD Open. 2022;8:e002111 (Mar 15). Doi: 10.1136/rmdopen-2021-002111

Key clinical point: Frailty may be partially reversible with treatment in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and is associated with a greater risk for hospitalization and all-cause mortality in early and established RA.

Major finding: Patients with early RA improved from moderate/severe frailty to mild (33%) and robust (13%) states in the first 6 months of treatment with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. In early and established RA, the moderate/severe vs. robust frailty level was associated with unscheduled hospitalization (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 2.88; 95% CI 1.97-4.20, and IRR 2.74; 95% CI 2.29-3.29, respectively) and all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 4.41; 95% CI 1.85-10.49 and HR 1.68; 95% CI 1.26-2.13, respectively).

Study details: This was a longitudinal analysis of two cohorts including 899 and 3605 patients with early and established RA, respectively.

Disclosures: No information on funding was reported. No conflicts of interest were declared.

Source: Hanlon P et al. Frailty in rheumatoid arthritis and its relationship with disease activity, hospitalisation and mortality: a longitudinal analysis of the Scottish Early Rheumatoid Arthritis cohort and UK Biobank. RMD Open. 2022;8:e002111 (Mar 15). Doi: 10.1136/rmdopen-2021-002111

Key clinical point: Frailty may be partially reversible with treatment in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and is associated with a greater risk for hospitalization and all-cause mortality in early and established RA.

Major finding: Patients with early RA improved from moderate/severe frailty to mild (33%) and robust (13%) states in the first 6 months of treatment with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. In early and established RA, the moderate/severe vs. robust frailty level was associated with unscheduled hospitalization (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 2.88; 95% CI 1.97-4.20, and IRR 2.74; 95% CI 2.29-3.29, respectively) and all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 4.41; 95% CI 1.85-10.49 and HR 1.68; 95% CI 1.26-2.13, respectively).

Study details: This was a longitudinal analysis of two cohorts including 899 and 3605 patients with early and established RA, respectively.

Disclosures: No information on funding was reported. No conflicts of interest were declared.

Source: Hanlon P et al. Frailty in rheumatoid arthritis and its relationship with disease activity, hospitalisation and mortality: a longitudinal analysis of the Scottish Early Rheumatoid Arthritis cohort and UK Biobank. RMD Open. 2022;8:e002111 (Mar 15). Doi: 10.1136/rmdopen-2021-002111

Key clinical point: An ultralow dose (200 mg) of rituximab infusion and an increased time interval between COVID-19 vaccination and rituximab infusion significantly improved humoral response to COVID-19 vaccine in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Major finding: Positive vaccination response was more frequently observed in the 200 mg vs. 1000 mg rituximab infusion group (odds ratio [OR] 3.07; P = .03) and improved with greater time interval between rituximab infusion and COVID-19 vaccination (per month OR 1.67; P < .0001).

Study details: This was a prospective cohort study, RTX-COVAC, including 196 patients with RA who received at least one dose of rituximab (200, 500, or 1000 mg) in the year prior to their first dose of COVID-19 vaccination.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any specific funding. AA den Broeder reported receiving personal fees, congress invitations, and grants outside the submitted work from various sources. Other authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: van der Togt CJT et al. Humoral response to Coronavirus Disease-19 vaccines is dependent on dosage and timing of rituximab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2022 (Apr 4). Doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keac206

Key clinical point: An ultralow dose (200 mg) of rituximab infusion and an increased time interval between COVID-19 vaccination and rituximab infusion significantly improved humoral response to COVID-19 vaccine in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Major finding: Positive vaccination response was more frequently observed in the 200 mg vs. 1000 mg rituximab infusion group (odds ratio [OR] 3.07; P = .03) and improved with greater time interval between rituximab infusion and COVID-19 vaccination (per month OR 1.67; P < .0001).

Study details: This was a prospective cohort study, RTX-COVAC, including 196 patients with RA who received at least one dose of rituximab (200, 500, or 1000 mg) in the year prior to their first dose of COVID-19 vaccination.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any specific funding. AA den Broeder reported receiving personal fees, congress invitations, and grants outside the submitted work from various sources. Other authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: van der Togt CJT et al. Humoral response to Coronavirus Disease-19 vaccines is dependent on dosage and timing of rituximab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2022 (Apr 4). Doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keac206

Key clinical point: An ultralow dose (200 mg) of rituximab infusion and an increased time interval between COVID-19 vaccination and rituximab infusion significantly improved humoral response to COVID-19 vaccine in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Major finding: Positive vaccination response was more frequently observed in the 200 mg vs. 1000 mg rituximab infusion group (odds ratio [OR] 3.07; P = .03) and improved with greater time interval between rituximab infusion and COVID-19 vaccination (per month OR 1.67; P < .0001).

Study details: This was a prospective cohort study, RTX-COVAC, including 196 patients with RA who received at least one dose of rituximab (200, 500, or 1000 mg) in the year prior to their first dose of COVID-19 vaccination.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any specific funding. AA den Broeder reported receiving personal fees, congress invitations, and grants outside the submitted work from various sources. Other authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: van der Togt CJT et al. Humoral response to Coronavirus Disease-19 vaccines is dependent on dosage and timing of rituximab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2022 (Apr 4). Doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keac206