Long-Term Real-Life Experience With Rituximab in Adult Finnish Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis Refractory or With Contraindication to Anti–Tumor Necrosis Factor Drugs. Issue 1 (January 2015) - Valleala, Heikki
Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of repeated rituximab (RTX) infusions in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in daily clinical practice in Finland. Methods Data were collected from the medical records of a total of 151 patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with RTX and followed up for at least 12 months after the treatment onset. Change in the 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28), European League Against Rheumatism response criteria and proportions of patients reaching disease remission (DAS28 < 2.6) or low disease activity (DAS28 < 3.2) were used to assess the clinical response. Results Of the 151 patients 128 received 2 courses, 76 received 3 courses, and 42 received 4 courses of RTX. The mean time to retreatment for the first 4 courses varied between 11 and 13 months. Median DAS28 decreased from 5.4 (0.5–8.6) to 3.3 (0.6–6.6) after the first course. After the second treatment course, the DAS28 was 3.1 (range, 0.1–6.5). The median precourse baseline DAS28 before the second and third courses were 4.6 (range, 1.7–7.8) and 4.24 (range, 1.7–7.2), respectively. The number of previously failed tumor necrosis factor inhibitors did not predict response to RTX in this patient cohort with extensive use of previous disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (median = 6). Conclusions The treatment as-needed regimen used in this study cohort led to delayed RTX retreatment and disease flare in a significant proportion of patients. A regular retreatment every 6 months, at least, after the first 2 treatment courses in patients who are not in remission could allow better control of disease activity.