Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Adalimumab, etanercept and infliximab are effective TNF inhibitors (TNFis) in the treatment of RA, but no randomized clinical trials have compared the three agents. Prior observational data are not consistent. We compared their effectiveness over 1 year in a prospective cohort.
METHODS
Analyses were performed on subjects' first episode of TNFi use in the Rheumatic Diseases Portuguese Register, Reuma.pt. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with European League Against Rheumatism good response sustained at two consecutive observations separated by 3 months during the first year of TNFi use. Comparisons were performed using conventional adjusted logistic regression, as well as matching subjects across the three agents using a propensity score. In addition, baseline predictors of treatment response to TNFi were identified.
RESULTS
The study cohort included 617 RA patients, 250 starting etanercept, 206 infliximab and 161 adalimumab. Good response was achieved by 59.6% for adalimumab, 59.2% for etanercept and 51.9% for infliximab (P = 0.21). The modelled probability of good response did not significantly differ across agents (etanercept vs adalimumab OR = 0.97, 95% CI 0.55, 1.71; etanercept vs infliximab OR = 1.25, 95% CI 0.74, 2.12; infliximab vs adalimumab OR = 0.80, 95% CI 0.47, 1.36). Matched propensity score analyses also showed no significant treatment response differences. Greater educational attainment was a predictor of better response, while smoking, presence of ACPA, glucocorticoid use and worse physician assessment of disease activity at baseline each predicted a reduced likelihood of treatment response.
CONCLUSION
Over 1 year, we found no difference in effectiveness between adalimumab, etanercept and infliximab.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Canhão H, Rodrigues AM, Mourão AF, Martins F, Santos MJ, Canas-Silva J, Polido-Pereira J, Pereira Silva JA, Costa JA, Araújo D, Silva C, Santos H, Duarte C, da Silva JA, Pimentel-Santos FM, Branco JC, Karlson EW, Fonseca JE, Solomon DH

Institution

Rheumatology Research Unit, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Edificio Egas Moniz, Faculdade de Medicina de Lisboa, Av Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal. helenacanhao@netcabo.pt

Source

Rheumatology (Oxford, England) 51:11 2012 Nov pg 2020-6

MeSH

Adult
Analysis of Variance
Antibodies, Monoclonal
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
Antirheumatic Agents
Arthritis, Rheumatoid
Female
Humans
Immunoglobulin G
Male
Middle Aged
Propensity Score
Prospective Studies
Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
Treatment Outcome
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Pub Type(s)

Comparative Study
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22843791