In a nutshell
This study investigated the effect of sarilumab (Kevzara) on the treatment of rheumatoid (RA).
They found that sarilumab had a greater impact on patients’ lives compared to other treatments.
Some background
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a long-term condition. Treatment involves taking medication to reduce inflammation. These medications are called disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Over time, patients may not respond to their medication. New drugs are being developed to address this. Sarilumab is a new drug to treat moderate-severe RA. It targets the interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor. Blocking this receptor stops an inflammatory signal.
Sarilumab has been effective in reducing clinical RA symptoms. Patient-reported outcomes are also important. These can tell us about the impact new treatments have on patients. The patient-reported outcomes for sarilumab are still under investigation.
Methods & findings
This study included 915 patients with RA. The data was obtained from two clinical trials on sarilumab. This treatment was compared to other regimens. These included csDMARDs and methotrexate (MTX). Patients were asked to complete a questionnaire evaluating the impact of disease. This scale rates factors including emotional and physical well-being. It also rates functional impairment and quality of sleep, pain, and fatigue.
The questionnaire scores were higher in patients taking sarilumab in both studies. This effect was observed for both 150 mg and 200 mg doses. The treatment time in these studies was up to 24 weeks. A moderate benefit in pain scores was seen with sarilumab. Other aspects in including emotional and physical well-being improved at 24 weeks. There was no significant improvement in quality of sleep at 24 weeks.
The bottom line
The authors concluded that sarilumab, alone or in combination with other RA drugs, had a greater impact on patients’ lives compared to control treatments.
The fine print
This study compared data from two studies. As a result, there is some variability in study protocols.
What’s next?
If you have any concerns regarding RA treatment, please consult with your physician.
Published By :
The Journal of Rheumatology
Date :
Mar 15, 2019
