Disease activity score in 28 joints at 3 months after the initiation of biologic agent can be a predictive target for switching to the second biologic agent in patients with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis

<div><p></p><p><i>Objective</i>: To clarify polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA) patients who failed to maintain prolonged remission with the first biologic agent.</p><p><i>Methods</i>: Fourteen pJIA patients were observed for 47.5 months (median) after initiating the first biologic agent.</p><p><i>Results</i>: Eight maintained sustained clinical remission (median 47 months) with the first biologic agents, while the six switched to the second one due to lack of efficacy, thereafter. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed that disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28) of 2.37 at 3 months could distinguish between the two patient groups (<i>p</i> = 0.001).</p><p><i>Conclusion</i>: pJIA patients with DAS28 >2.37 at 3 months of the initial biologic therapy may be considered to switch to the second biologics.</p></div

Safety and effectiveness of iguratimod in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Final report of a 52-week, multicenter postmarketing surveillance study

<p><b>Objectives:</b> We evaluated the long-term (52 weeks) safety and effectiveness of iguratimod (IGU) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).</p> <p><b>Methods:</b> This multicenter, prospective, observational study included all evaluable RA patients who received IGU since its market launch in 2012. We evaluated adverse events (AEs); adverse drug reactions (ADRs); ADRs of special interest, including liver and renal dysfunctions, interstitial lung disease, gastrointestinal and blood disorders, and infection; and change in Disease Activity Score 28-C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP) at week 52.</p> <p><b>Results:</b> Safety and effectiveness were analyzed in 2666 and 1614 patients, respectively. The incidences of AEs, serious AEs, ADRs, and serious ADRs were 46.92, 7.35, 38.26, and 4.58%, respectively. The incidence of ADRs peaked at approximately 4 weeks of treatment. Subsequently, the ADR incidence did not increase over time. Improvement of RA activity was shown up to week 52.</p> <p><b>Conclusion:</b> Long-term treatment with IGU in patients with RA resulted in a tolerable safety profile and an improvement in RA activity. IGU could be considered a useful treatment option for patients with RA.</p