In a nutshell This study investigated the use of low dose (LD) glucocorticoids (GC) combined with methotrexate (MTX; Otrexup) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ; Plaquenil).in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). They found that LD-GCs improved disease activity (DA) combined with MTX and HCQ in these patients. Some background...
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In a nutshell This study looked at the effect of rituximab (Rituxan) and levels of immune cells in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).The authors concluded that certain immune cells are linked to disease activity in patients treated with rituximab. Measuring the levels of these cells could be used to determine if rituximab re-treatment is...
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In a nutshell This study assessed the effects of reducing and withdrawing treatment in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who had achieved remission using etanercept (Enbrel) plus methotrexate (Trexall). The results showed that etanercept and methotrexate (MTX) combined led to better disease control than MTX alone, or a placebo (a substance...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study examined the risk of cervical cancer in women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-inhibitors. The study concluded that women with RA treated with TNF-inhibitors are at increased risk of cervical cancer. Some background RA is a chronic autoimmune disease (when the immune system...
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In a nutshell This study assessed whether golimumab was effective for treating active rheumatoid arthritis despite methotrexate therapy. The study concluded that 78% of patients achieve good response to long-term golimumab treatment. Some background Methotrexate is often the first drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. However, in many cases...
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In a nutshell The authors evaluated the effect of abatacept (Orencia) plus methotrexate (Trexall) in reducing the symptoms (remission) of early rheumatoid arthritis. Some background In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the immune system begins attacking healthy tissues the way it normally attacks viruses or bacteria. This can cause inflammation,...
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In a nutshell The authors evaluated the safety and effectiveness of certolizumab pegol (Cimzia) in patients with low to moderate rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Some background In RA, high levels of immune system proteins are generated. This causes inflammation, leading to chronic pain. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs...
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In a nutshell The authors investigated the effect of etanercept (Enbrel) dose change on patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Some background In RA, high levels of immune system protein are generated, which causes inflammation, leading to chronic pain. Several studies indicated that etanercept in combination...
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In a nutshell This study examined the long-term safety and effectiveness of abatacept (Orencia) and whether methotrexate (Trexall) enhances its effect. Some background Abatacept is a drug used to treat patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It is generally given to patients in whom anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy has...
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In a nutshell This study examined whether golimumab (Simponi) is safe and effective in rheumatoid arthritis patients who have previously used anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy. Some background Anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy (Humira, Enbrel, Remicade and Cimzia) is used to treat patients who have a severe form of rheumatoid arthritis...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study examined the frequency of gastrointestinal (digestive tract) events in at-risk rheumatic patients using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Some background Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil) are used to relieve pain in patients with rheumatic diseases. However, they can also cause...
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In a nutshell This study examined the safety and effectiveness of switching from intravenous tocilizumab (Actemra) to subcutaneous. Some background Tocilizumab is a drug which prevents the immune system from attacking the joints in rheumatoid arthritis patients. It is given intravenously (injected into a vein by a healthcare...
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