Comparable Clinical Effectiveness of Baricitinib and Filgotinib in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Aim: To compare the clinical effectiveness of baricitinib and filgotinib in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: This retrospective study included 101 and 103 consecutive patients treated with baricitinib and filgotinib, respectively, between 2020 and 2023. Drug retention was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves, with the log-rank test for between-group comparisons.

Discontinuation vs. continuation of concomitant methotrexate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis on certolizumab pegol: results from a randomised, controlled trial.

Objective: The present non-inferiority study was designed to compare the effect of discontinuing versus continuing methotrexate (MTX) alongside certolizumab pegol (CZP) on maintaining low disease activity (LDA) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients already stable on combination therapy.

Methods: This multicentre, open-label, randomised, controlled trial included RA patients with sustained LDA (Clinical Disease Activity Index [CDAI] ≤ 10) for ≥ 12 weeks with CZP + MTX. Patients were randomised 1:1 by computer to either continue MTX (CZP + MTX group) or discontinue MTX after a 12-week reduction period (CZP group) using a dynamic allocation strategy with the minimisation method.

Clinical effectiveness of baricitinib and abatacept in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Aim: The objective of this study was to compare the clinical effectiveness of baricitinib and abatacept in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: This study included 274 patients treated with abatacept and 241 treated with baricitinib who were followed for >52 weeks. Potential treatment selection bias was addressed by using inverse probability of treatment weighting.

Do heel-unloading orthoses improve clinical outcomes in patients after surgical treatment of calcaneal fracture? A propensity-matched, multicenter analysis of the TRON database.

Background: Postoperative protocols after surgical treatment of calcaneal fracture have not been standardized to date. There are only a few reports on the efficacy of heel-unloading orthoses (HUOs; Mars shoe, Graffin orthosis), and thier efficacy is uncertain.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare postoperative radiologic and clinical outcomes in patients with calcaneal fractures who used Graffin orthosis.

Early weight bearing versus late weight bearing after intramedullary nailing for distal femoral fracture (AO/OTA 33) in elderly patients: A multicenter propensity-matched study.

Background: This study aimed to assess differences in implant failure and bone union rates, amount of change in alignment of lower extremities, and walking ability between early weight-bearing (EWB) and late weight-bearing (LWB) groups following retrograde intramedullary nailing (RIMN) for distal femoral fracture (AO/OTA 33) (DFF) at multiple centers using propensity score matching.

Methods: The data of 213 patients who underwent RIMN from 2012 to 2019 in multiple tertiary hospitals were extracted from our database. Cases with the following factors were excluded: age <60, open fracture, AO/OTA-type 33-C3 fracture, preoperative New Mobility Score (NMS) < 3, postoperative follow-up <3 months, and unknown weight-bearing start time.

Reasons and risk factors for discontinuation of treatment with any biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A long-term observational study.

Objectives: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) usually switch to a second biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) when the first has proven to be ineffective, although some may discontinue bDMARDs treatment altogether. We investigated the total rate of bDMARDs retention and the risk of bDMARDs discontinuation in patients with RA.

Methods: The study included 564 patients with RA who started bDMARDs treatment before 2008 (<65 years old, n = 413; ≥65, n = 151).

Comparison of the effects of baricitinib and tocilizumab on disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a propensity score matching analysis.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the effects of baricitinib, a Janus kinase inhibitor, and tocilizumab, a monoclonal anti-interleukin-6 receptor antibody, on disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to investigate the influence of inflammation on improvement in patient global assessment (PGA) of disease activity.

Methods: This study was performed based on data from a multicenter registry, and included 284 and 113 patients treated with tocilizumab and baricitinib, respectively, who were observed for longer than 24 weeks. Propensity score matching was performed to address potential treatment-selection bias.

Higher doses of methotrexate associated with discontinuation of oral glucocorticoids after initiation of biological DMARDs: A retrospective observational study based on data from a Japanese multicenter registry study.

Objective: Glucocorticoids are important drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. We recommend glucocorticoid discontinuation as soon as possible given the associated side-effects, but many patients continue to take oral glucocorticoids long-term. The present study aimed to explore factors associated with glucocorticoid discontinuation at 52 weeks after initiating biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs).

Predictors for clinical effectiveness of baricitinib in rheumatoid arthritis patients in routine clinical practice: data from a Japanese multicenter registry.

This study aimed to evaluate the short-term effectiveness and safety profiles of baricitinib and explore factors associated with improved short-term effectiveness in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in clinical settings. A total of 113 consecutive RA patients who had been treated with baricitinib were registered in a Japanese multicenter registry and followed for at least 24 weeks. Mean age was 66.

A retrospective analysis of the relationship between anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody and the effectiveness of abatacept in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of abatacept (ABA) by anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (ACPA) status on disease activity as well as radiographic progression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in clinical settings. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from a multicenter registry. Data from a total of 553 consecutive RA patients treated with intravenous ABA were included.

Improvement in matrix metalloproteinase-3 independently predicts low disease activity at 52 weeks in bio-switch rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with abatacept.

Objectives: To explore predictive factors including MMP-3 for achievement of low disease activity (LDA) at 52 weeks in bio-switch rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients treated with abatacept, for whom obtaining a good clinical response can be difficult.

Methods: Participants were 423 consecutive patients with RA treated with abatacept who were observed for longer than 52 weeks and registered in the TBCR, a Japanese multicentre registry system. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to study factors that predict the achievement of LDA at 52 weeks in bio-naïve (n=234) and bio-switch (n=189) groups.

Discontinuation of concomitant methotrexate in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with tocilizumab: An interventional study.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of methotrexate (MTX) discontinuation in Japanese rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with sustained low disease activity undergoing combination therapy with tocilizumab (TCZ) plus MTX. This multicenter, open-label, uncontrolled, prospective study included RA patients maintaining low disease activity (Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) ≤10) for ≥12 weeks with TCZ plus MTX. Methotrexate was discontinued following 12 weeks of biweekly administration while continuing TCZ therapy.

Association between seropositivity and discontinuation of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors due to ineffectiveness in rheumatoid arthritis.

Introduction/objectives: Discontinuation of biologic therapy in rheumatoid arthritis is attributable to various reasons, with the most important cause being insufficient response. In this study, we investigated the association between rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-citrullinated protein autoantibody (ACPA) status and the discontinuation of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) therapy due to insufficient response in bio-naïve rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

Method: This study included patients enrolled in the Tsurumai Biologic Communication Registry in Japan.

Concomitant methotrexate has little effect on clinical outcomes of abatacept in rheumatoid arthritis: a propensity score matching analysis.

Objective: To compare the clinical outcomes of abatacept between rheumatoid arthritis patients with and without concomitant methotrexate (MTX) treatment in daily clinical practice.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed using data from a multicentre registry. A total of 176 consecutive rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with abatacept were included.

Clinical effectiveness and long-term retention of abatacept in elderly rheumatoid arthritis patients: Results from a multicenter registry system.

To study the clinical effectiveness and long-term retention rate of abatacept (ABA) in elderly rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in daily clinical practice. A retrospective cohort study was performed using data from a multicenter registry. Our study population comprised 500 consecutive RA patients treated with ABA.

Predictors of biologic discontinuation due to insufficient response in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who achieved clinical remission with biologic treatment: A multicenter observational cohort study.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate predictors of biologic discontinuation due to insufficient response as a surrogate for relapse in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who achieved clinical remission with biologic treatment.

Methods: This study was performed based on data from a multicenter registry, and included 404 patients who achieved clinical remission within the first year of treatment with their first biologic. Cumulative retention rate of the first biologic was estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves, and the impact of patient characteristics on biologic discontinuation was assessed with Cox proportional hazards models.

Hyaluronan Oligosaccharides Induce MMP-1 and -3 via Transcriptional Activation of NF-κB and p38 MAPK in Rheumatoid Synovial Fibroblasts.

Objective: To explore the effect of hyaluronan oligosaccharides (HAoligos) on interactions between HA and its principal receptor, CD44, in rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts (RSFs) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) production.

Methods: RSFs were isolated from rheumatoid synovial tissue. HA distribution was visualized by immunocytochemistry.

Concomitant methotrexate and tacrolimus augment the clinical response to abatacept in patients with rheumatoid arthritis with a prior history of biological DMARD use.

This observational retrospective study examined whether abatacept efficacy could be augmented with concomitant methotrexate (MTX) or tacrolimus (TAC) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who experienced failure with prior biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and in whom favorable therapeutic efficacy is difficult to achieve. All patients with a prior biological DMARD history who were treated with abatacept for 52 weeks and registered in a Japanese multicentre registry were included. Clinical efficacy and safety of abatacept according to the concomitant drug used, i.

Effects of Concomitant Methotrexate on Large Joint Replacement in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis Treated With Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study in Japan.

Objective: To determine the effects of concomitant methotrexate (MTX) on the incidence of large joint replacement resulting from the progression of large joint destruction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed using a multicenter registry. In total, 803 patients with RA who received etanercept or adalimumab were included.

Use of a 12-week observational period for predicting low disease activity at 52 weeks in RA patients treated with abatacept: a retrospective observational study based on data from a Japanese multicentre registry study.

Objective: Only a few studies have assessed predictive factors for the long-term efficacy of abatacept. This study aimed to provide clinical evidence of an adequate observational period for predicting low disease activity (LDA) achievement at 52 weeks in RA patients treated with abatacept.

Methods: Participants were all patients registered in a Japanese multicentre registry who were treated with abatacept and had at least 52 weeks of follow-up (n = 254).

Drug retention rates of second biologic agents after switching from tumor necrosis factor inhibitors for rheumatoid arthritis in Japanese patients on low-dose methotrexate or without methotrexate.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore drug retention rates of second biologic agents after switching from tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) in clinical practice in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on low-dose methotrexate (MTX) or without MTX.

Methods: A total of 169 RA patients who had been withdrawn from first-course TNFi therapy and received a different TNFi or tocilizumab (TCZ) as a second biologic agent were selected from the Tsurumai Biologics Communication Registry, an observational cohort database. Retention rates of second biologic treatment were compared by the type of first TNFi and second biologic agents.

Importance of methotrexate therapy concomitant with tocilizumab treatment in achieving better clinical outcomes for rheumatoid arthritis patients with high disease activity: an observational cohort study.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of concomitant use of MTX and baseline characteristics for remission in the treatment of RA with tocilizumab (TCZ) in daily clinical practice.

Methods: A total of 240 RA patients who received TCZ were selected from the multicentre Tsurumai Biologics Communication Registry. Predictive baseline factors for remission [28-item DAS (DAS28) < 2.

Longterm retention rate and risk factor for discontinuation due to insufficient efficacy and adverse events in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving etanercept therapy.

Objective: Assessing retention rate and risk factor for drug discontinuation is important for drug evaluation. We examined a 3-year retention rate and the risk factor for discontinuation due to insufficient efficacy (IE) and adverse events (AE) in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who are receiving etanercept (ETN).

Methods: Data were collected from 588 patients treated with ETN as a first biologic from the Tsurumai Biologics Communication Registry.