Key clinical point: Considering inadequate representation of real-world patients (RWP) with chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML-CP) in clinical trials, a “one size fits all” tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) dosing regimen may not be apt.

Major finding: RWPs with 2 or more exclusion factors were more likely to achieve major molecular response at 3 months (adjusted relative risk [aRR] 1.89; P = .03) compared to those with no exclusion factors. They did achieve complete hematologic response at 1 month (aRR 0.80; P = .02), or have a higher adverse event-induced TKI dose reduction (aRR 1.53; P = .03) or shorter time to dose reduction (aRR 2.47; P = .005).

Study details: This retrospective study included 174 adult RWP with CML-CP treated with imatinib, dasatinib, nilotinib, or bosutinib for at least 30 days, with 0, 1, or 2 or more phase 3 clinical trial exclusion criterion.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the Eshelman Institute for Innovation at the University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy. Some investigators reported receiving honoraria and research funding from or consulting for various pharmaceutical companies.

Source: Szeto AH et al. Ann Pharmacother. 2021 Sep 18. doi: 10.1177/10600280211044160.

Key clinical point: Considering inadequate representation of real-world patients (RWP) with chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML-CP) in clinical trials, a “one size fits all” tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) dosing regimen may not be apt.

Major finding: RWPs with 2 or more exclusion factors were more likely to achieve major molecular response at 3 months (adjusted relative risk [aRR] 1.89; P = .03) compared to those with no exclusion factors. They did achieve complete hematologic response at 1 month (aRR 0.80; P = .02), or have a higher adverse event-induced TKI dose reduction (aRR 1.53; P = .03) or shorter time to dose reduction (aRR 2.47; P = .005).

Study details: This retrospective study included 174 adult RWP with CML-CP treated with imatinib, dasatinib, nilotinib, or bosutinib for at least 30 days, with 0, 1, or 2 or more phase 3 clinical trial exclusion criterion.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the Eshelman Institute for Innovation at the University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy. Some investigators reported receiving honoraria and research funding from or consulting for various pharmaceutical companies.

Source: Szeto AH et al. Ann Pharmacother. 2021 Sep 18. doi: 10.1177/10600280211044160.

Key clinical point: Considering inadequate representation of real-world patients (RWP) with chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML-CP) in clinical trials, a “one size fits all” tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) dosing regimen may not be apt.

Major finding: RWPs with 2 or more exclusion factors were more likely to achieve major molecular response at 3 months (adjusted relative risk [aRR] 1.89; P = .03) compared to those with no exclusion factors. They did achieve complete hematologic response at 1 month (aRR 0.80; P = .02), or have a higher adverse event-induced TKI dose reduction (aRR 1.53; P = .03) or shorter time to dose reduction (aRR 2.47; P = .005).

Study details: This retrospective study included 174 adult RWP with CML-CP treated with imatinib, dasatinib, nilotinib, or bosutinib for at least 30 days, with 0, 1, or 2 or more phase 3 clinical trial exclusion criterion.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the Eshelman Institute for Innovation at the University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy. Some investigators reported receiving honoraria and research funding from or consulting for various pharmaceutical companies.

Source: Szeto AH et al. Ann Pharmacother. 2021 Sep 18. doi: 10.1177/10600280211044160.

Key clinical point: Creatine kinase (CK) elevation was associated with superior survival in patients with newly diagnosed chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML-CP) receiving first-line tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapies.

Major finding: Overall, 71.7% patients had CK elevation after TKI initiation. Patients with vs. without elevated CK levels had improved overall survival (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.31; P < .001) and event-free survival (aHR 0.51; P = .003).

Study details: This retrospective study included 283 patients with newly diagnosed CML-CP treated with first-line TKI therapies.

Disclosures: No source of funding was identified. A Bankar reported consulting for Novartis and Celgene. JH Lipton reported consulting for and research funding from Novartis, BMS, Pfizer, and Takeda.

Source: Bankar A et al. Leuk Lymphoma. 2021 Sep 8.doi: 10.1080/10428194.2021.1971219.

Key clinical point: Creatine kinase (CK) elevation was associated with superior survival in patients with newly diagnosed chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML-CP) receiving first-line tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapies.

Major finding: Overall, 71.7% patients had CK elevation after TKI initiation. Patients with vs. without elevated CK levels had improved overall survival (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.31; P < .001) and event-free survival (aHR 0.51; P = .003).

Study details: This retrospective study included 283 patients with newly diagnosed CML-CP treated with first-line TKI therapies.

Disclosures: No source of funding was identified. A Bankar reported consulting for Novartis and Celgene. JH Lipton reported consulting for and research funding from Novartis, BMS, Pfizer, and Takeda.

Source: Bankar A et al. Leuk Lymphoma. 2021 Sep 8.doi: 10.1080/10428194.2021.1971219.

Key clinical point: Creatine kinase (CK) elevation was associated with superior survival in patients with newly diagnosed chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML-CP) receiving first-line tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapies.

Major finding: Overall, 71.7% patients had CK elevation after TKI initiation. Patients with vs. without elevated CK levels had improved overall survival (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.31; P < .001) and event-free survival (aHR 0.51; P = .003).

Study details: This retrospective study included 283 patients with newly diagnosed CML-CP treated with first-line TKI therapies.

Disclosures: No source of funding was identified. A Bankar reported consulting for Novartis and Celgene. JH Lipton reported consulting for and research funding from Novartis, BMS, Pfizer, and Takeda.

Source: Bankar A et al. Leuk Lymphoma. 2021 Sep 8.doi: 10.1080/10428194.2021.1971219.

Key clinical point: Advanced age, cough as presenting symptom, imatinib treatment, and cardiovascular comorbidities were associated with mortality due to COVID-19 among patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).

Major finding: The incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was 2.5%. The mortality rate was 5.5% among SARS-CoV-2-positive patients and 0.13% in the total cohort of 8,665 CML patients. Predisposing factors among patients who died due to COVID-19 vs. those who remained alive were age > 65 years (83% vs. 70%; P = .03), cough as presenting symptom (50% vs. 28%; P = .001), imatinib therapy (92% vs. 46%; P = .02), and concomitant cardiovascular disorders (50% vs. 13%; P = .001).

Study details: This retrospective study included 8,665 patients with CML followed at 46 centers in Italy between February 2020 and January 2021.

Disclosures: No source of funding or disclosures were reported.

Source: Breccia M et al. Br J Haematol. 2021 Oct 11. doi: 10.1111/bjh.17890.

Key clinical point: Advanced age, cough as presenting symptom, imatinib treatment, and cardiovascular comorbidities were associated with mortality due to COVID-19 among patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).

Major finding: The incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was 2.5%. The mortality rate was 5.5% among SARS-CoV-2-positive patients and 0.13% in the total cohort of 8,665 CML patients. Predisposing factors among patients who died due to COVID-19 vs. those who remained alive were age > 65 years (83% vs. 70%; P = .03), cough as presenting symptom (50% vs. 28%; P = .001), imatinib therapy (92% vs. 46%; P = .02), and concomitant cardiovascular disorders (50% vs. 13%; P = .001).

Study details: This retrospective study included 8,665 patients with CML followed at 46 centers in Italy between February 2020 and January 2021.

Disclosures: No source of funding or disclosures were reported.

Source: Breccia M et al. Br J Haematol. 2021 Oct 11. doi: 10.1111/bjh.17890.

Key clinical point: Advanced age, cough as presenting symptom, imatinib treatment, and cardiovascular comorbidities were associated with mortality due to COVID-19 among patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).

Major finding: The incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was 2.5%. The mortality rate was 5.5% among SARS-CoV-2-positive patients and 0.13% in the total cohort of 8,665 CML patients. Predisposing factors among patients who died due to COVID-19 vs. those who remained alive were age > 65 years (83% vs. 70%; P = .03), cough as presenting symptom (50% vs. 28%; P = .001), imatinib therapy (92% vs. 46%; P = .02), and concomitant cardiovascular disorders (50% vs. 13%; P = .001).

Study details: This retrospective study included 8,665 patients with CML followed at 46 centers in Italy between February 2020 and January 2021.

Disclosures: No source of funding or disclosures were reported.

Source: Breccia M et al. Br J Haematol. 2021 Oct 11. doi: 10.1111/bjh.17890.

Key clinical point: Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) effectively improved sleep quality and reduced fatigue in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Major finding: The total Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and total Fatigue Severity Scale mean score decreased significantly from 11.37 to 4.97 and 6.48 to 2.15 (both P = .001), respectively, in the PMR intervention group. However, no significant difference was observed among patients in the control group.

Study details: This was a randomized controlled study of 72 patients with RA who were categorized into the PMR intervention group (n = 35) or the control group (n = 37).

Disclosures: The Fırat University Rectorate Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit provided funding to this research. None of the authors declared any conflict of interest.

Source: Kılıç N et al. Int J Nurs Pract. 2021 Sep 26. doi: 10.1111/ijn.13015.

Key clinical point: Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) effectively improved sleep quality and reduced fatigue in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Major finding: The total Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and total Fatigue Severity Scale mean score decreased significantly from 11.37 to 4.97 and 6.48 to 2.15 (both P = .001), respectively, in the PMR intervention group. However, no significant difference was observed among patients in the control group.

Study details: This was a randomized controlled study of 72 patients with RA who were categorized into the PMR intervention group (n = 35) or the control group (n = 37).

Disclosures: The Fırat University Rectorate Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit provided funding to this research. None of the authors declared any conflict of interest.

Source: Kılıç N et al. Int J Nurs Pract. 2021 Sep 26. doi: 10.1111/ijn.13015.

Key clinical point: Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) effectively improved sleep quality and reduced fatigue in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Major finding: The total Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and total Fatigue Severity Scale mean score decreased significantly from 11.37 to 4.97 and 6.48 to 2.15 (both P = .001), respectively, in the PMR intervention group. However, no significant difference was observed among patients in the control group.

Study details: This was a randomized controlled study of 72 patients with RA who were categorized into the PMR intervention group (n = 35) or the control group (n = 37).

Disclosures: The Fırat University Rectorate Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit provided funding to this research. None of the authors declared any conflict of interest.

Source: Kılıç N et al. Int J Nurs Pract. 2021 Sep 26. doi: 10.1111/ijn.13015.

Key clinical point: A greater proportion of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) initially treated with oral baricitinib maintained lower levels of radiographic progression over 5 years than those initially treated with conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs or placebo.

Major finding: At 5 years, no radiographic progression was achieved by a greater proportion of DMARD-naive patients with initial treatment with 4 mg baricitinib (59.0%) and initial treatment with 4 mg baricitinib + methotrexate (66.2%) vs. those with initial methotrexate treatment (40.7%). Similarly, a greater proportion of patients with inadequate response to methotrexate with initial baricitinib treatment (54.8%) or adalimumab treatment (55.0%) achieved no progression vs. those with initial placebo treatment (50.3%).

Study details: Findings are from a long-term extension RA-BEYOND trial, which included 2,125 patients with active adult-onset RA who completed any 1 of RA-BEGIN, RA-BEAM, or RA-BUILD phase 3 trials.

Disclosures: Eli Lilly and Company supported this study. The authors declared receiving grant/research support and consulting/speaker’s fees from various sources including Eli Lilly and Company. Three authors reported being current or former employees and shareholders of Eli Lilly.

Source: van der Heijde D et al. J Rheumatol. 2021 Sep 15. doi: 10.3899/jrheum.210346.

Key clinical point: A greater proportion of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) initially treated with oral baricitinib maintained lower levels of radiographic progression over 5 years than those initially treated with conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs or placebo.

Major finding: At 5 years, no radiographic progression was achieved by a greater proportion of DMARD-naive patients with initial treatment with 4 mg baricitinib (59.0%) and initial treatment with 4 mg baricitinib + methotrexate (66.2%) vs. those with initial methotrexate treatment (40.7%). Similarly, a greater proportion of patients with inadequate response to methotrexate with initial baricitinib treatment (54.8%) or adalimumab treatment (55.0%) achieved no progression vs. those with initial placebo treatment (50.3%).

Study details: Findings are from a long-term extension RA-BEYOND trial, which included 2,125 patients with active adult-onset RA who completed any 1 of RA-BEGIN, RA-BEAM, or RA-BUILD phase 3 trials.

Disclosures: Eli Lilly and Company supported this study. The authors declared receiving grant/research support and consulting/speaker’s fees from various sources including Eli Lilly and Company. Three authors reported being current or former employees and shareholders of Eli Lilly.

Source: van der Heijde D et al. J Rheumatol. 2021 Sep 15. doi: 10.3899/jrheum.210346.

Key clinical point: A greater proportion of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) initially treated with oral baricitinib maintained lower levels of radiographic progression over 5 years than those initially treated with conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs or placebo.

Major finding: At 5 years, no radiographic progression was achieved by a greater proportion of DMARD-naive patients with initial treatment with 4 mg baricitinib (59.0%) and initial treatment with 4 mg baricitinib + methotrexate (66.2%) vs. those with initial methotrexate treatment (40.7%). Similarly, a greater proportion of patients with inadequate response to methotrexate with initial baricitinib treatment (54.8%) or adalimumab treatment (55.0%) achieved no progression vs. those with initial placebo treatment (50.3%).

Study details: Findings are from a long-term extension RA-BEYOND trial, which included 2,125 patients with active adult-onset RA who completed any 1 of RA-BEGIN, RA-BEAM, or RA-BUILD phase 3 trials.

Disclosures: Eli Lilly and Company supported this study. The authors declared receiving grant/research support and consulting/speaker’s fees from various sources including Eli Lilly and Company. Three authors reported being current or former employees and shareholders of Eli Lilly.

Source: van der Heijde D et al. J Rheumatol. 2021 Sep 15. doi: 10.3899/jrheum.210346.

Key clinical point: Premenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) had a significantly higher risk for diastolic dysfunction, and early screening may help prevent future cardiovascular events.

Major finding: Patients with RA had a significantly higher incidence of diastolic dysfunction (odds ratio [OR] 2.18; P = .020), with the risk being higher in women aged between 30 and 49 years vs. control participants of the same age (OR 3.54; 95% CI 1.27-9.85).

Study details: This study involved 61 premenopausal women with RA without any history of hypertension matched with 107 control participants.

Disclosures: No funding or financial conflict of interests was reported.

Source: Kim GH et al. Arthritis Res Ther. 2021 (Sep 24);23:247. doi: 10.1186/s13075-021-02629-1.

Key clinical point: Premenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) had a significantly higher risk for diastolic dysfunction, and early screening may help prevent future cardiovascular events.

Major finding: Patients with RA had a significantly higher incidence of diastolic dysfunction (odds ratio [OR] 2.18; P = .020), with the risk being higher in women aged between 30 and 49 years vs. control participants of the same age (OR 3.54; 95% CI 1.27-9.85).

Study details: This study involved 61 premenopausal women with RA without any history of hypertension matched with 107 control participants.

Disclosures: No funding or financial conflict of interests was reported.

Source: Kim GH et al. Arthritis Res Ther. 2021 (Sep 24);23:247. doi: 10.1186/s13075-021-02629-1.

Key clinical point: Premenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) had a significantly higher risk for diastolic dysfunction, and early screening may help prevent future cardiovascular events.

Major finding: Patients with RA had a significantly higher incidence of diastolic dysfunction (odds ratio [OR] 2.18; P = .020), with the risk being higher in women aged between 30 and 49 years vs. control participants of the same age (OR 3.54; 95% CI 1.27-9.85).

Study details: This study involved 61 premenopausal women with RA without any history of hypertension matched with 107 control participants.

Disclosures: No funding or financial conflict of interests was reported.

Source: Kim GH et al. Arthritis Res Ther. 2021 (Sep 24);23:247. doi: 10.1186/s13075-021-02629-1.

Key clinical point: Sarilumab monotherapy was as effective as its combination with methotrexate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Hence, it could be a suitable alternative in patients with contraindications or intolerance to methotrexate.

Major finding: At 24 weeks, sarilumab vs. sarilumab + methotrexate groups had comparable least square mean change from baseline with overlapping confidence intervals for Clinical Disease Activity Index (−28.79 vs. −26.21), 28-joint Disease Activity using C-reactive protein (−2.95 vs. −2.81), and pain visual analog scale (−33.62 vs. −31.66).

Study details: This was a post hoc analysis of 184 patients with RA who received sarilumab in the MONARCH trial and 399 patients with RA with inadequate response to methotrexate, who received a combination of sarilumab and methotrexate in the MOBILITY trial.

Disclosures: Sanofi provided funding for this study. The authors including the lead author reported receiving grants/research support, consultancy, speaker’s fees, and consultancy fees or honoraria from various sources. A Praestgaard and HV Hoogstraten reported being employees of Sanofi and may hold stock or stock options in the company.

Source: Burmester GR et al. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2021 Sep 11. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keab676.

Key clinical point: Sarilumab monotherapy was as effective as its combination with methotrexate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Hence, it could be a suitable alternative in patients with contraindications or intolerance to methotrexate.

Major finding: At 24 weeks, sarilumab vs. sarilumab + methotrexate groups had comparable least square mean change from baseline with overlapping confidence intervals for Clinical Disease Activity Index (−28.79 vs. −26.21), 28-joint Disease Activity using C-reactive protein (−2.95 vs. −2.81), and pain visual analog scale (−33.62 vs. −31.66).

Study details: This was a post hoc analysis of 184 patients with RA who received sarilumab in the MONARCH trial and 399 patients with RA with inadequate response to methotrexate, who received a combination of sarilumab and methotrexate in the MOBILITY trial.

Disclosures: Sanofi provided funding for this study. The authors including the lead author reported receiving grants/research support, consultancy, speaker’s fees, and consultancy fees or honoraria from various sources. A Praestgaard and HV Hoogstraten reported being employees of Sanofi and may hold stock or stock options in the company.

Source: Burmester GR et al. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2021 Sep 11. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keab676.

Key clinical point: Sarilumab monotherapy was as effective as its combination with methotrexate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Hence, it could be a suitable alternative in patients with contraindications or intolerance to methotrexate.

Major finding: At 24 weeks, sarilumab vs. sarilumab + methotrexate groups had comparable least square mean change from baseline with overlapping confidence intervals for Clinical Disease Activity Index (−28.79 vs. −26.21), 28-joint Disease Activity using C-reactive protein (−2.95 vs. −2.81), and pain visual analog scale (−33.62 vs. −31.66).

Study details: This was a post hoc analysis of 184 patients with RA who received sarilumab in the MONARCH trial and 399 patients with RA with inadequate response to methotrexate, who received a combination of sarilumab and methotrexate in the MOBILITY trial.

Disclosures: Sanofi provided funding for this study. The authors including the lead author reported receiving grants/research support, consultancy, speaker’s fees, and consultancy fees or honoraria from various sources. A Praestgaard and HV Hoogstraten reported being employees of Sanofi and may hold stock or stock options in the company.

Source: Burmester GR et al. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2021 Sep 11. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keab676.

Key clinical point: Exposure to biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARD) did not seem to be associated with an elevated risk for recurrent or new cancer in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and a history of cancer.

Major finding: The risk for recurrent or new cancer was not significantly higher in patients with RA receiving bDMARDs (relative risk [RR], 1.09; P = .31), tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (RR 1.11; P = .45), or rituximab (RR 0.79; P = .49) vs. those not receiving bDMARDs.

Study details: This was a meta-analysis of 12 observational studies involving patients with RA who had a history of cancer and received bDMARDs.

Disclosures: No specific funding was received for this study. The authors declared receiving honoraria or grants from various sources.

Source: Wetzman A et al. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2021 Sep 21. doi: 10.1002/acr.24784.

Key clinical point: Exposure to biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARD) did not seem to be associated with an elevated risk for recurrent or new cancer in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and a history of cancer.

Major finding: The risk for recurrent or new cancer was not significantly higher in patients with RA receiving bDMARDs (relative risk [RR], 1.09; P = .31), tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (RR 1.11; P = .45), or rituximab (RR 0.79; P = .49) vs. those not receiving bDMARDs.

Study details: This was a meta-analysis of 12 observational studies involving patients with RA who had a history of cancer and received bDMARDs.

Disclosures: No specific funding was received for this study. The authors declared receiving honoraria or grants from various sources.

Source: Wetzman A et al. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2021 Sep 21. doi: 10.1002/acr.24784.

Key clinical point: Exposure to biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARD) did not seem to be associated with an elevated risk for recurrent or new cancer in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and a history of cancer.

Major finding: The risk for recurrent or new cancer was not significantly higher in patients with RA receiving bDMARDs (relative risk [RR], 1.09; P = .31), tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (RR 1.11; P = .45), or rituximab (RR 0.79; P = .49) vs. those not receiving bDMARDs.

Study details: This was a meta-analysis of 12 observational studies involving patients with RA who had a history of cancer and received bDMARDs.

Disclosures: No specific funding was received for this study. The authors declared receiving honoraria or grants from various sources.

Source: Wetzman A et al. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2021 Sep 21. doi: 10.1002/acr.24784.

Key clinical point: Discontinuation of denosumab after 1 year of treatment showed a return to baseline lumbar spine (LS) and total hip (TH) bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) receiving glucocorticoids.

Major finding: By 12 months after discontinuation, TH BMD reduced to levels similar to or slightly above placebo in patients receiving 60 mg (P = .210) and 180 mg denosumab (P = .706). Similar reversal of gains was observed for LS BMD with the least-square percent mean change from baseline in placebo, 60 mg, and 180 mg denosumab, being 2.30% (95% CI −0.35%-4.94%), 1.31% (95% CI −1.17%-3.79%), and 0.12% (95% CI −2.45%-2.68%), respectively.

Study details: This was a post hoc analysis of a phase 2 study including 82 patients with RA receiving glucocorticoids, randomly assigned to placebo, 60 mg, or 180 mg denosumab every 6 months for 12 months.

Disclosures: The study was sponsored by Amgen Inc. Some of the authors declared ties with various sources including Amgen. MT McDermott, RK Stad, L Chen, and S Huang declared being employees of Amgen.

Source: Saag KG et al. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2021 Sep 17. doi: 10.1002/art.41981.

Key clinical point: Discontinuation of denosumab after 1 year of treatment showed a return to baseline lumbar spine (LS) and total hip (TH) bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) receiving glucocorticoids.

Major finding: By 12 months after discontinuation, TH BMD reduced to levels similar to or slightly above placebo in patients receiving 60 mg (P = .210) and 180 mg denosumab (P = .706). Similar reversal of gains was observed for LS BMD with the least-square percent mean change from baseline in placebo, 60 mg, and 180 mg denosumab, being 2.30% (95% CI −0.35%-4.94%), 1.31% (95% CI −1.17%-3.79%), and 0.12% (95% CI −2.45%-2.68%), respectively.

Study details: This was a post hoc analysis of a phase 2 study including 82 patients with RA receiving glucocorticoids, randomly assigned to placebo, 60 mg, or 180 mg denosumab every 6 months for 12 months.

Disclosures: The study was sponsored by Amgen Inc. Some of the authors declared ties with various sources including Amgen. MT McDermott, RK Stad, L Chen, and S Huang declared being employees of Amgen.

Source: Saag KG et al. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2021 Sep 17. doi: 10.1002/art.41981.

Key clinical point: Discontinuation of denosumab after 1 year of treatment showed a return to baseline lumbar spine (LS) and total hip (TH) bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) receiving glucocorticoids.

Major finding: By 12 months after discontinuation, TH BMD reduced to levels similar to or slightly above placebo in patients receiving 60 mg (P = .210) and 180 mg denosumab (P = .706). Similar reversal of gains was observed for LS BMD with the least-square percent mean change from baseline in placebo, 60 mg, and 180 mg denosumab, being 2.30% (95% CI −0.35%-4.94%), 1.31% (95% CI −1.17%-3.79%), and 0.12% (95% CI −2.45%-2.68%), respectively.

Study details: This was a post hoc analysis of a phase 2 study including 82 patients with RA receiving glucocorticoids, randomly assigned to placebo, 60 mg, or 180 mg denosumab every 6 months for 12 months.

Disclosures: The study was sponsored by Amgen Inc. Some of the authors declared ties with various sources including Amgen. MT McDermott, RK Stad, L Chen, and S Huang declared being employees of Amgen.

Source: Saag KG et al. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2021 Sep 17. doi: 10.1002/art.41981.

Key clinical point: Despite higher initial disease activity, patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who received biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) vs. conventional synthetic DMARDs (csDMARDs) had a lower incidence of total knee replacement (TKR) and total hip replacement (THR).

Major finding: The incidence of TKR (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 0.72; 95% CI 0.62-0.83) and THR (IRR 0.77; 95% CI 0.64-0.93) was significantly lower in patients receiving biologics vs. those who received csDMARDs, with TKR (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.55; 95% CI 0.38-0.81) and THR (aHR 0.63; 95% CI 0.40-0.98) risk being lowest in patients with regular bDMARD use.

Study details: This was a nationwide retrospective study involving 48,165 patients with RA. Patients receiving biologics without undergoing TKR (n = 5,979) or THR (n = 6,245) formed the biologic cohort matched with control cohorts comprising 11,958 and 12,490 patients receiving csDMARDs, respectively.

Disclosures: No specific funding or conflict of interests was reported.

Source: Chang YS et al. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2021 Sep 17. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keab671.

Key clinical point: Despite higher initial disease activity, patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who received biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) vs. conventional synthetic DMARDs (csDMARDs) had a lower incidence of total knee replacement (TKR) and total hip replacement (THR).

Major finding: The incidence of TKR (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 0.72; 95% CI 0.62-0.83) and THR (IRR 0.77; 95% CI 0.64-0.93) was significantly lower in patients receiving biologics vs. those who received csDMARDs, with TKR (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.55; 95% CI 0.38-0.81) and THR (aHR 0.63; 95% CI 0.40-0.98) risk being lowest in patients with regular bDMARD use.

Study details: This was a nationwide retrospective study involving 48,165 patients with RA. Patients receiving biologics without undergoing TKR (n = 5,979) or THR (n = 6,245) formed the biologic cohort matched with control cohorts comprising 11,958 and 12,490 patients receiving csDMARDs, respectively.

Disclosures: No specific funding or conflict of interests was reported.

Source: Chang YS et al. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2021 Sep 17. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keab671.

Key clinical point: Despite higher initial disease activity, patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who received biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) vs. conventional synthetic DMARDs (csDMARDs) had a lower incidence of total knee replacement (TKR) and total hip replacement (THR).

Major finding: The incidence of TKR (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 0.72; 95% CI 0.62-0.83) and THR (IRR 0.77; 95% CI 0.64-0.93) was significantly lower in patients receiving biologics vs. those who received csDMARDs, with TKR (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.55; 95% CI 0.38-0.81) and THR (aHR 0.63; 95% CI 0.40-0.98) risk being lowest in patients with regular bDMARD use.

Study details: This was a nationwide retrospective study involving 48,165 patients with RA. Patients receiving biologics without undergoing TKR (n = 5,979) or THR (n = 6,245) formed the biologic cohort matched with control cohorts comprising 11,958 and 12,490 patients receiving csDMARDs, respectively.

Disclosures: No specific funding or conflict of interests was reported.

Source: Chang YS et al. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2021 Sep 17. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keab671.