Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) considerably affects the QoL and comes with a substantial economic burden. Certolizumab pegol (CZP) has proven to be an efficacious and safe option in clinical studies of patients with RA. However, real-world data describing clinical response in the United Kingdom and Ireland are limited. A new study, published in the journal Advances in Therapy, demonstrated CZP as an effective treatment for adult patients with RA in a clinical setting in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Safety outcomes were in line with known safety profile for anti-TNF inhibitors.
This non-interventional study evaluated 111 adult patients (aged ≥18 years) with RA who were prescribed and received at least 1 dose of CZP and were followed up for up to 88 weeks. Primary outcome was 28-joint Disease Activity Score calculated with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28(ESR)) response at week 78. Secondary outcome included Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI) and Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Activity Index (RADAI) scores at week 78.
At week 12, 72.1% vs 27.9% were DAS28(ESR) responders vs nonresponders, respectively. In total, 43.8% (95% CI, 32.7-55.3) vs 22.6% (95% CI, 9.6-41.1) of week 12 responders vs nonresponders had a DAS28(ESR) response at week 78. Mean change in DAS28(ESR), HAQ-DI and RADAI scores was greater among week 12 responders vs nonresponders across all relevant time points. Overall, 9 patients (6.1%) experienced 13 adverse drug reactions.
Authors commented: “CZP may form part of treat-to-target strategy for this patient population, both improving patients’ QoL and reducing the economic burden of disease in these countries”.
