Network Meta-analysis of efficacy and safety of Chinese patent medicines in treatment of ankylosing spondylitis / 中国中药杂志

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Chinese patent medicines in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis(AS) by frequency network Meta-analysis. Randomized controlled trials(RCTs)of Chinese patent medicines for AS were retrieved from CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, CBM, PubMed, EMbase and Cochrane Library databases from the time of database establishment to January 2021. The quality of the included RCTs was evaluated according to the Cochrane bias risk standard, and the data was analyzed by RevMan 5.3 and Stata/MP 15.1. A total of 12 kinds of Chinese patent medicines in 55 RCTs were included. According to Meta-analysis, in term of the effectiveness, the top three optimal medication regimens were Biqi Capsules, Yishen Juanbi Pills and Yaobitong Capsules combined with western medicine. The top three interventions to reduce the erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR)were Yishen Juanbi Pills, Xianling Gubao Capsules and Fufang Xuanju Capsules combined with western medicine. The top three interventions to reduce the C-reactive protein(CRP)were Biqi Capsules, Xianling Gubao Capsules and Fufang Xuanju Capsules combined with western medicine. In terms of the safety, top three optimal medication regimens were Total Glucosides of Paeony Capsules, Yishen Juanbi Pills, and Wangbi Tablets combined with western medicine. This network Meta-analysis suggests that Chinese patent medicines combined with conventional western medicine can effectively improve the joint pain symptoms of AS patients and reduce the acute inflammatory indicators, with high safety. However, the literature included in this study is generally of low methodological quality, and the conclusion needs to be verified by high-quality research.

Uso clínico do rituximabe em doenças autoimunes / Clinical use of rituximab for autoimmune diseases

Doenças autoimunes são doenças universais, e os diagnósticos e tratamentos primários são habitualmente iniciados por clínicos em enfermarias ou ambulatórios, antes de serem encaminhados a especialistas. Além disso, pacientes em uso de biológicos internados em hospitais gerais têm sido cada vez mais frequentes na prática clínica. Conhecer o perfil de segurança, as indicações e os efeitos colaterais dessas drogas deve ser preocupação dos clínicos. Neste trabalho, foi realizada revisão de literatura sobre terapia biológica com rituximabe no tratamento das principais doenças autoimunes sistêmicas da prática clínica: artrite reumatoide, lúpus eritematoso sistêmico, vasculites relacionadas aos anticorpos anticitoplasma de neutrófilo, púrpura trombocitopênica imune e espondilite anquilosante. (AU)

AutoimmunAutoimmune diseases are universal diseases and primary diagnosis and treatment are typically initiated by internists in wards or outpatient clinics before being referred to specialists. In addition, patients on use of biologicals hospitalized in general hospitals have been increasingly common in clinical practice. Knowing the safety profile, the indications, and the side effects of these drugs should be a concern for the internists as well. In this study, the literature review was performed on biological therapy with Rituximab for treating the main systemic autoimmune diseases of clinical practice: rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitides, immune thrombocytopenic purpura, and ankylosing spondylitis. (AU)

Brazilian recommendations for the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in patients with axial spondyloarthritis

Abstract Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is a group of chronic inflammatory systemic diseases characterized by axial and/or peripheral joints inflammation, as well as extra-articular manifestations. Over some decades, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been the basis for the pharmacological treatment of patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). However, the emergence of the immunobiologic agents brought up the discussion about the role of NSAIDs in the management of these patients. The objective of this guideline is to provide recommendations for the use of NSAIDs for the treatment of axSpA. A panel of experts from the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials for 15 predefined questions. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology to assess the quality of evidence and formulate recommendations were used, and at least 70% agreement of the voting panel was needed. Fourteen recommendations for the use of NSAIDs in the treatment of patients with axSpA were elaborated. The purpose of these recommendations is to support clinicians' decision making, without taking out his/her autonomy when prescribing for an individual patient.(AU)

Ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis: revisiting screening of latent tuberculosis infection and its follow-up during anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy in an endemic area

OBJECTIVES: To retrospectively evaluate the performance and distinctive pattern of latent tuberculosis (TB) infection (LTBI) screening and treatment in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) under anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy and determine the relevance of re-exposure and other risk factors for TB development. METHODS: A total of 135 and 83 patients with AS and PsA, respectively, were evaluated for LTBI treatment before receiving anti-TNF drugs via the tuberculin skin test (TST), chest radiography, and TB exposure history assessment. All subjects were evaluated for TB infection at 3-month intervals. RESULTS: The patients with AS were more often treated for LTBI than were those with PsA (42% versus 30%, p=0.043). The former also presented a higher frequency of TST positivity (93% versus 64%, p=0.002), although they had a lower frequency of exposure history (18% versus 52%, p=0.027) and previous TB (0.7% versus 6%, p=0.03). During follow-up [median, 5.8 years; interquartile range (1QR), 2.2-9.0 years], 11/218 (5%) patients developed active TB (AS, n=7; PsA, n=4). TB re-exposure was the main cause in seven patients (64%) after 12 months of therapy (median, 21.9 months; IQR, 14.2-42.8 months) and five LTBI-negative patients. TB was identified within the first year in four patients (36.3%) (median, 5.3 months; IQR, 1.2-8.8 months), two of whom were LTBI-positive. There was no difference in the TB-free survival according to the anti-TNF drug type/class; neither synthetic drug nor prednisone use was related to TB occurrence (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Known re-exposure is the most critical factor for incident TB cases in spondyloarthritis. There are also some distinct features in AS and PsA LTBI screening, considering the higher frequency of LTBI and TST positivities in patients with AS. Annual risk reassessment taking into consideration these peculiar features and including the TST should be recommended for patients in endemic countries.

Secukinumab provided significant and sustained improvement in the signs and symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis: results from the 52-week, Phase III China-centric study, MEASURE 5 / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Secukinumab demonstrated sustained efficacy in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) through 5 years in pivotal Phase III studies. Here, we present efficacy and safety results (52-week) of secukinumab in patients with AS from the MEASURE 5 study.@*METHODS@#MEASURE 5 was a 52-week, Phase III, China-centric study. Eligible patients were randomly assigned (2:1) to receive subcutaneous secukinumab 150 mg or placebo weekly for the first five doses and then once every 4 weeks (q4w). All placebo patients switched to secukinumab 150 mg q4w starting at Week 16. Primary endpoint was Assessments of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) 20 at Week 16. Randomization was stratified by region (China vs. non-China).@*RESULTS@#Of 458 patients (secukinumab 150 mg, N = 305; placebo, N = 153) randomized, 327 (71.4%) were from China and 131 (28.6%) were not from China. Of these, 97.7% and 97.4% patients completed Week 16 and 91.1% and 95.3% (placebo-secukinumab) patients completed Week 52 of treatment. The primary endpoint was met; secukinumab significantly improved ASAS20 response at Week 16 vs. placebo (58.4% vs. 36.6%; P < 0.0001); corresponding rate in the Chinese population was 56.0% vs. 38.5% (P < 0.01). All secondary efficacy endpoints significantly improved with secukinumab 150 mg in the overall population at Week 16; responses were maintained with a trend toward increased efficacy from Week 16 to 52. No new or unexpected safety signals were reported up to Week 52.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Secukinumab 150 mg demonstrated rapid and significant improvement in signs and symptoms of AS. Secukinumab was well tolerated and the safety profile was consistent with previous reports. Efficacy and safety results were comparable between the overall and Chinese populations.@*TRIAL REGISTRATION@#ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02896127; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02896127?term=NCT02896127&draw=2&rank=1.

Incidence of tuberculosis infection in spondyloarthritis patients treated with biological and conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs in an endemic area

Introduction: Registries of spondyloarthritis (SpA) patients' follow-up provided evidence that tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) increase the incidence of active tuberculosis infection (TB). However, most of these registries are from low burden TB areas. Few studies evaluated the safety of biologic agents in TB endemic areas. This study compares the TB incidence rate (TB IR) in anti-TNF-naïve and anti-TNF-experienced subjects with SpA in a high TB incidence setting.Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, medical records from patients attending a SpA clinic during 13 years (2004 to 2016) in a university hospital were reviewed. The TB IR was calculated and expressed as number of events per 105 patients/year; the incidence rate ratio (IRR) associated with the use of TNFi was calculated.Results: A total of 277 patients, 173 anti-TNF-naïve and 104 anti-TNF-experienced subjects, were evaluated; 35.7% (N = 35) of patients who were prescribed an anti-TNF drug were diagnosed with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). Total follow-up time (person-years) was 1667.8 for anti-TNF-naïve and 394.9 for anti-TNF-experienced patients. TB IR (95% CI) was 299.8 (37.4-562.2) for anti-TNF naïve and 1012.9 (25.3-2000.5) for anti-TNF experienced subjects. The IRR associated with the use of TNFi was 10.4 (2.3- 47.9).Conclusions: In this high TB incidence setting, SpA patients exposed to anti-TNF therapy had a higher incidence of TB compared to anti-TNF-naïve subjects, although the TB incidence in the control group was significant.(AU)

Lobular capillary hemangioma in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis using adalimumab: an exuberant presentation

Abstract Lobular capillary hemangioma or pyogenic granuloma is a benign vascular tumor of the skin or mucous membranes. Most patients present a single lesion. It manifests clinically as an erythematous, friable, and fast-growing tumor. This report details a case with exuberant presentation in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis, using adalimumab. Factors triggering pyogenic granuloma are not well known. They may spontaneously regress, but most require treatment.

Secuquinumabe para o tratamento da espondilite anquilosante / Secuquinumab for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis

CONTEXTO: A espondilite anquilosante é uma espondiloartrite axial que acomete adultos jovens, em sua maioria do sexo masculino. Para o tratamento dessa condição, o SUS fornece anti-inflamatórios não esteroidais (AINE), medicamentos modificadores do curso da doença (MMCD) sintéticos e os medicamentos biológicos anti-TNF adalimumabe, etanercepte, golimumabe e infliximabe. Nesse contexto, o demandante solicitou a incorporação do secuquinumabe para o tratamento da espondilite anquilosante na mesma etapa de tratamento dos agentes anti-TNF já incorporados no SUS. TECNOLOGIA: Secuquinumabe (Consetyx®). INDICAÇÃO: Espondilite anquilosante de acometimento axial ou periférico. PERGUNTA: O uso de secuquinumabe é eficaz e seguro para o tratamento da espondilite anquilosante ativa em pacientes adultos que não tenham respondido adequadamente ao tratamento com AINE, e/ou MMCD, e/ou anti-TNF quando comparado às opções de biológicos atualmente disponíveis no SUS? EVIDÊNCIAS CIENTÍFICAS: Foram apresentadas evidências de dois ensaios clínicos randomizados e uma meta-análise de rede. Os estudos avaliaram o secuquinumabe 150 mg em comparação ao placebo até a semana 16, quando o tratamento ativo apresentou resultados estatisticamente superiores para todos os desfechos avaliados (ASAS20, ASAS40, ASAS5/6, ASAS remissão parcial, BASDAI, BASFI e qualidade de vida). Os eventos adversos foram mais comuns nos participantes que utilizaram secuquinumabe, sendo frequentes as infecções, doença de Crohn e eventos cardiovasculares. A avaliação de desfechos radiográficos mostrou que aproximadamente 80% dos participantes não apresentaram progressão na semana 104. Resultados das meta-análises em rede demonstraram que os medicamentos biológicos apresentam resultados similares entre si. AVALIAÇÃO ECONÔMICA: Um estudo de custo-minimização conduzido pelo demandante demonstrou que no primeiro ano, a diferença dos custos por paciente com secuquinumabe variou de -R$ 5.428,56 a -R$ 18.967,20 em comparação aos demais biológicos. Nos anos subsequentes, a diferença dos custos por paciente com secuquinumabe variou de -R$ 7.407,60 a -R$ 13.730,64. IMPACTO ORÇAMENTÁRIO: Num cenário de incorporação de secuquinumabe 150 mg, estima-se economia anual de aproximadamente R$ 15 milhões a R$ 76 milhões, ao longo de cinco anos. Em um cenário de 10% de migração entre os biológicos (mais conservador), o MS pode economizar entre R$ 5 milhões a R$ 25 milhões, três vezes menos do que estimado. MONITORAMENTO DO HORIZONTE TECNOLÓGICO: Alguns medicamentos estão em fase de desenvolvimento clínico para o tratamento da espondilite anquilosante (apremilaste, brodalumabe, ixequizumabe e ustequinumabe). Essas novas tecnologias ainda não tiveram seu registro aprovado pela Anvisa para a EA. CONSIDERAÇÕES FINAIS: O demandante não avaliou seu medicamento em comparação a tratamento ativo. Os estudos conduzidos mostraram que secuquinumabe 150 mg é superior a placebo em 16 semanas de tratamento. Os resultados em longo prazo não são controlados, mas sugerem que os resultados obtidos nas primeiras 16 semanas são mantidos. Segundo relatado em meta-análises em rede, o secuquinumabe é equivalente aos demais medicamentos biológicos. O preço proposto pelo demandante oferece possibilidade de economia para o tesouro, mesmo em cenário menos otimista, bem como a possibilidade de renegociar os preços de aquisição dos medicamentos competidores. RECOMENDAÇÃO PRELIMINAR DA CONITEC: A CONITEC, em sua 57ª reunião ordinária, recomendou que a matéria fosse submetida à consulta pública com recomendação inicial favorável à incorporação no SUS do secuquinumabe para espondilite anquilosante. Considerou-se que o secuquinumabe tem eficácia semelhante, segurança coerente aos demais anti-TNF disponíveis no SUS e menor custo de tratamento. CONSULTA PÚBLICA: Na Consulta Pública nº 38/2017 foram recebidas 323 contribuições, sendo 320 totalmente concordantes com a recomendação preliminar e 3 parcialmente concordantes. Todas as contribuições foram avaliadas quantitativamente e qualitativamente. As contribuições destacaram a importância da incorporação de mais uma opção terapêutica para pacientes com espondilite anquilosante (62%) seguido da eficácia (15%) e da experiência com o medicamento (23%).DELIBERAÇÃO FINAL: Os membros da CONITEC presentes na 60ª reunião ordinária do plenário do dia 05/10/2017 deliberaram por unanimidade recomendar a incorporação do secuquinumabe para espondilite anquilosante em pacientes com doença ativa (tanto axial quanto periférica) e com falha terapêutica inicial com o uso de AINE e/ou MMCD, e/ou anti-TNF, mediante atualização do Protocolo Clínico e Diretrizes Terapêuticas. Foi assinado o Registro de Deliberação nº 300/2017. DECISÃO: Incorporar o secuquinumabe para o tratamento da espondilite anquilosante ativa, mediante Protocolo Clínico e Diretrizes Terapêuticas do Ministério da Saúde no âmbito do Sistema Único de Saúde - SUS. A decisão foi dada pela Portaria SCTIE-MS nº 65 publicada no Diário Oficial da União (DOU) nº 12, de 17 de janeiro de 2018, pág. 137.(AU)

Three cases of anti-TNF induced myositis and literature review / Três casos de miosite induzida pelo anti-TNF e revisão da literatura

Abstract Anti-tumor necrosis factor drugs are frequently preferred in the treatment of rheumatologic diseases and other inflammatory diseases. The development of myositis after using anti-tumor necrosis factor drugs is a rare clinical condition. Here we aimed to report cases who developed myositis after using anti-tumor necrosis factor drugs and review the current literature. We report two cases of rheumatoid arthritis and a case of ankylosing spondylitis developed idiopathic inflammatory myopathy following anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy. In conclusion, myositis could develop during anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy, so these patients should be evaluated carefully initially for myositis and should be closely monitored due to the potential for developing myositis in treatment process.

Resumo Os fármacos antifator de necrose tumoral (anti-TNF) são frequentemente preferidos no tratamento de doenças reumatológicas e outras doenças inflamatórias. O desenvolvimento de miosite após o uso de anti-FNT é uma condição clínica rara. Este estudo objetivou descrever casos de pacientes que desenvolveram miosite após o uso de anti-TNF e fazer uma revisão da literatura atual. Descrevem-se dois casos de artrite reumatoide (AR) e um caso de espondilite anquilosante (EA) que desenvolveram miopatia inflamatória idiopática após o tratamento com anti-TNF. Em conclusão, pode haver desenvolvimento de miosite durante o tratamento com anti-TNF, de modo que esses pacientes devem ser cuidadosamente avaliados inicialmente à procura de miosite e devem ser cuidadosamente monitorados em razão do potencial de desenvolvimento de miosite no processo de tratamento

Informe de evaluación científica basada en la evidencia disponible: espondilitis anquilosante / Scientific evaluation report based on available evidence: ankylosing spondylitis

INTRODUCCIÓN: La Espondilitis Anquilosante (EA) es una enfermedad crónica inflamatoria que produce dolor y rigidez en diversos puntos del cuerpo. Suele desarrollarse en adultos jóvenes, entre los 20 y 30 años, y se estima que puede existir una predisposición genética para desarrollarla. Se ha estimado que la prevalencia en América Latina es de 10,2 por cada 10.000 habitantes, siendo más común en hombres que en mujeres. Para pacientes que no han respondido a la terapia de primera línea con Antiinflamatorios no Esteroidales (AINEs), se ha sugerido el uso de medicamentos biológicos AntiTNFs. TECNOLOGÍAS SANITARIAS EVALUADAS: Fenilbutazona, eurozina-re, ciclobenzaprina, mydriacyl, duloxetina, deflazacort, pregabalina, prednisona, flexon, paracetamol, tramadol, etoricoxib, celecoxib, metrotexato, azulfidine, secukinumab, infliximab, golimumab, etanercept, certolizumab y adalimumab. EFICACIA DE DE LOS TRATAMIENTOS: Adalimumab (ADA) probablemente logra una mayor proporción de pacientes con EA en ASAS 40, y podría aumentar la proporción de pacientes que logran ASAS remisión parcial a las 12 semanas. Además, probablemente aumenta la proporción de pacientes que logran BASDAI 50 a las 12 y 24 semanas, mientras que es incierto su efecto sobre ASAS 40 en pacientes con EANR, no obstante, probablemente incremente la proporción de estos pacientes que alcance BASDAI 50 a las 12 semanas. Certolizumab (CTZ) podría lograr que una mayor proporción de pacientes con EA y EANR alcancen ASAS 40 a las 12 y 24 semanas. Etanercept (ETA) podría lograr una mayor proporción de pacientes con EA que alcancen ASAS 40 a las 12 semanas, y podría aumentar la proporción de personas que alcanzan ASAS remisión parcial a las 24 semanas de intervención. Además, probablemente reduce el índice BASDAI a las 24 semanas, y podría aumentar la proporción de pacientes que alcanzan BASDAI 50 a las 12 semanas. En pacientes con Espondiloartritis Axial no Radiográfica (EANR), ETA podría lograr una mayor proporción de pacientes que alcancen ASAS 40 a las 12 semanas, mientras que probablemente no tiene un efecto sobre el índice BASDAI a las 12 semanas. Es incierto que Golimumab (GOL) logre una mayor proporción de pacientes con EA que alcancen ASAS 40 a las 14-16 semanas, pero podría lograr que una mayor proporción alcance ASAS 40 a las 24 semanas. Además, podría aumentar la proporción de pacientes que logren BASDAI 50 a las 14 y 24 semanas, mientras que podría aumentar la proporción de pacientes con EANR que alcancen ASAS 40 a las 14-16 semanas. Secukinumab (SEC) podría lograr ligeramente que una proporción de pacientes con EA que alcancen ASAS 40 a las 12 semanas de tratamiento, mientras que no se encontró evidencia en pacientes con EANR. Es incierto si Infliximab (IFX) produce alguna diferencia en ASAS40 y BASDAI 50 medido a las 12 semanas en pacientes con EA, porque la certeza en la evidencia es muy baja. Por otro lado, IFX no generaría una diferencia importante en ASAS 40 a las 24-28 semanas en pacientes con EA, mientras que probablemente alcance una mayor proporción de BASDAI 50 a las 28-30 semanas. Por último, es incierto su efecto sobre pacientes con EANR medido como ASAS 40 a las 16 semanas, porque la certeza en la evidencia es muy baja. ANÁLISIS ECONÓMICO: Análisis Económico Existe gran incertidumbre alrededor de los resultados de las evaluaciones económicas que puedan tener en los pacientes el tratamiento con inhibidores del TNF alfa para pacientes con EA. No se encontró evidencia de evaluaciones económicas para pacientes con EANR. En general, agencias de distintos países (Canadá, Inglaterra, Australia, Uruguay y México) recomiendan el uso de ADA, CTZ, ETA, GOL y SEC para el tratamiento de EA que progresa después del tratamiento con AINEs. Algunas agencias (Canadá e Inglaterra) han realizado esta recomendación siempre y cuando se considere un costo razonable para estos medicamentos. El impacto presupuestario estimado para el año 2018 fue de $MM8.215 (ADA), $MM7.582 (CTZ), $5.352 (ETA), $MM 5.357 (GOL), $MM4.880 (SEC), $MM 14.645 (IFX). CONCLUSIÓN: Para dar cumplimiento al artículo 28° del Reglamento que establece el proceso destinado a determinar los diagnósticos y tratamientos de alto costo con Sistema de Protección Financiera, según lo establecido en los artículos 7°y 8° de la ley N°20.850, aprobado por el decreto N°13 del Ministerio de Salud, se concluye que el presente informe de evaluación se considera favorable, de acuerdo a lo establecido en el Título III. de las Evaluaciones Favorables de la Norma Técnica N° 0192 de este mismo ministério.

Eficácia y seguridad de adalimumab en el tratamiento de espondilitis anquilosante en pacientes con falla a tratamiento com dos anti-TNFS / Efficacy and safety of adalimumab in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis in patients with treatment failure with two anti-TNFS

La espondilitis anquilosante (EA) es una enfermedad inflamatoria crónica perteneciente a la familia de las espondiloartritis, y que se caracteriza principalmente por sacroileítis y rigidez espinal progresiva. Aunque es considerada clásicamente como una enfermedad de la columna vertebral, se produce también artritis aguda transitoria de las articulaciones periféricas hasta en el 50 % de los pacientes. Además, otros órganos como los ojos, los pulmones, el corazón y los riñones pueden verse afectados. El tratamiento de primera línea de EA son los anti-inflamatorios no-esteroideos, los cuales se utilizan también en paralelo a otras líneas de tratamiento en casos de progressión de la enfermedad. La segunda línea de tratamiento está dada por los fármacos antirreumáticos modificadores de la enfermedad (FARMEs). En ausencia de respuesta a FARMEs es posible recurrir a terapias biológicas. Dentro de las terapias bilógicas se encuentram los inhibidores del factor de necrosis tumoral-alfa (anti-TNF) como infliximab, etanercept y adalimumab. De los pacientes que han recibido ya etanercept e infliximab, una fracción no ha obtenido respuesta o ha perdido la respuesta al tratamiento con ambos anti-TNFs. Frente a la ausencia de alternativas de tratamiento disponibles en EsSalud para los pacientes que han recibido ya dos anti-TNFs, se elaboró el presente documento con la finalidad de establecer el rol de adalimumab como una posible opción para dichos pacientes. A la fecha (diciembre 2016), no se han identificado ensayos clínicos que tengam como objetivo evaluar el uso de un tercer agente anti-TNF en pacientes que hayan presentado falla al tratamiento previo con dos anti-TNFs cualesquiera. En ausencia de evidencia de ensayos clínicos que permita responder a la pregunta PICO de interés del presente dictamen preliminar se presentam los resultados de estudios obervacionales y análisis de estudio de registro encontrado en relación al uso de un tercer anti-TNF luego de falla al tratamiento con otros dos agentes anti-TNF. Adicionalmente, se toma como evidencia las recomendacines de dos guías de práctica clínica (GPC) y una evaluación de tecnología sanitaria (ETS) de The National Institute for Health and Care Excelence (NICE). Los elaboradores de las GPC identificadas no emiten recomendaciones sobre el uso de un tercer agente anti-TNF en el tratamiento de espond recomendaciones de las GPC se refieren unicamente al uso de un segundo agente anti-TNF frente a la pérdida de la respuesta al tratamiento con otro anti-TNF, e incluso estas recomendaciones de cambio a un segundo anti-TNF se basan aun en evidencia de baja calidad, correspondiente a estudios con diseños obervacionales. La ausencia de recomendaciones sobre el cambioa un tercer agente anti-TNF en las GPC reflexa que es aun más escasa la evidencia relacionada a esta cambio luego de falla de tratamiento con dos anti-TNFs, y que se trata de un escenario poco considerado y pobremente estudiado a la fecha. En este sentido, en las GPC encontradas no se presentan recomendaciones relacionadas específicamente a la población de interés de la pregunta PICO del presente dictamen preliminar la cual corresponde a pacientes con falla a tratamiento con dos anti-TNFs. Se identificó también una ETS de NICE. Frente a la ausencia de ensayos clínicos aleatorizados controlados de NICE se basa en datos de registro. A pesar de la evidencia de baja calidad, la conclusión general de los evaluadores de NICE es que el tratamiento secuencial con agentes anti-TNF es recomendable en pacientes que no toleran, que no han respondido, o que han perdido la respuesta al tratamiento con un anti-TNF previo. Adicionalmente, se identicaron estudios observacionales que evaluaron la efectividad del uso de un tercer anti-TNF. De estos, solo uno contó con un tamaño de muestra considerable (DANBIO). Los resultados del estudio DANBIO sugieren un efecto beneficioso del cambio de agente anti-TNF en pacientes refractarios a dos líneas de anti-TNFs; sin embargo, el estudio presenta una serie de limitaciones metodológicas que no permiten concluir con certeza estos beneficios.(AU)

Infliximab in patients with psoriasis and other inflammatory diseases: evaluation of adverse events in the treatment of 168 patients

Abstract: Background: Psoriasis is immune-mediated chronic inflammatory disease with preference for skin and joints. The skin involvement occurs by hyperproliferation and abnormal differentiation of keratinocytes. It is associated with comorbidities, mainly related to the clinical manifestations of the metabolic syndrome. Increased TNF-alpha expression (TNF-α) is related to its pathophysiology. Infliximab is an intravenous drug that acts neutralizing the biological activity of TNF-α and prevents the binding of the molecule to the target cell receptor, inhibiting cell proliferation of psoriasis and other diseases mediated by TNF-α. A lot of infusion reactions have been described in the literature. Objective: To evaluate the adverse effects of intravenous treatment with infliximab, analyzing patients with psoriasis compared to those with other chronic inflammatory diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis). Method: Analysis of medical records and adverse events of 168 patients undergoing infliximab infusion for psoriasis and chronic inflammatory diseases treatment. Results: 168 patients who have used infliximab were evaluated, 24 had psoriasis and 144 had chronic inflammatory diseases. Only 2 (8.3%) patients with psoriasis showed adverse events requiring treatment discontinuation, and just 6 (4.2%) female patients with chronic inflammatory diseases experienced adverse events. Conclusion: Infliximab is a safe drug, with a low percentage of adverse events and there were more adverse events in women with chronic inflammatory diseases and in patients who received more infliximab infusions.

Golimumabe para o tratamento da espondilite ancilosante / Golimumab for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis

Contexto: A espondilite ancilosante (EA) é uma doença inflamatória crônica, que afeta principalmente o esqueleto axial. As manifestações da doença em atividade podem variar de quadro isolado de dor na coluna lombar/sacroilíaca contínua e signifivativa, até uma doença mais grave e sistêmica. A prevalência desta doença é encontrada na literatura de forma ampla, de 0,7 a 49 casos para cada 10.000 indivíduos. O tratamento medicamentoso inclui anti-inflamatórios não-esteroidais (AINEs), glicocorticóides e as terapias modificadoras da doença (DMARDs). O golimumabe, um anti-TNF alfa com indicação de uso na EA, não se encontra na lista de medicamentos do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) para o tratamento da EA. Pergunta: O uso de golimumabe é eficaz e seguro em pacientes com espondilite ancilosante ativa que apresentaram resposta inadequada a AINEs ou DMARDs quando comparado aos anti-TNF disponíveis atualmente no SUS (adalimumabe, etanercepte, infliximabe)? Evidências científicas: Há dois ensaios clínicos randomizados e multicêntrico (o Brasil não foi envolvido no estudo), com total de 569 pacientes, os resultados mostraram eficácia do golimumabe em relação ao uso de placebo, que puderam ser combinados em uma meta-análise. A segurança foi estabelecida por estudos que acompanharam até 5 anos de uso contínuo. Além disso, a meta-análise de comparação indireta com outros biológicos não mostrou diferenças significativas entre os biológicos anti-TNF alfa já disponíveis no SUS. analisados, devem ser interpretados com cautela quanto a sua imprecisão e consistência. Os números estimados na avaliação econômica parecem estar superestimados em relação à economia que a tecnologia pode trazer ao SUS. Mas, considerando os pressupostos adotados, é é\tprovável que a incorporação do golimumabe no tratamento da EA seja uma estratégia mais econômica para o SUS. O estudo econômico aponta para uma tecnologia mais econômica para o SUS, entre as alternativas já disponíveis para o tratamento da EA. Deliberação final: O plenário deliberarou por unanimidade recomendar a incorporação do golimumabe para o tratamento da espondilite ancilosante, conforme Protocolo Clínico e Diretrizes Terapêuticas do Ministério da Saúde. A recomendação será encaminhada para decisão do Secretário. Decisão: Incorporar o golimumabe para o tratamento da espondilite ancilosante, no âmbito do Sistema Único de Saúde - SUS. Foi publicada a Portaria Nº 21, de 24 de maio de 2016.

Indirect and direct costs of treating patients with ankylosing spondylitis in the Brazilian public health system / Custos diretos e indiretos do tratamento de pacientes com espondilite anquilosante pelo sistema público de saúde brasileiro

ABSTRACT Introduction: Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) require a team approach from multiple professionals, various treatment modalities for continuous periods of time, and can lead to the loss of labour capacity in a young population. So, it is necessary to measure its socio-economic impact. Objectives: To describe the use of public resources to treat AS in a tertiary hospital after the use of biological medications was approved for treating spondyloarthritis in the Health Public System, establishing approximate values for the direct and indirect costs of treating this illness in Brazil. Material and methods: 93 patients selected from the ambulatory spondyloarthritis clinic at the Hospital de Clínicas of the Federal University of Paraná between September 2011 and September 2012 had their direct costs indirect treatment costs estimation. Results: 70 patients (75.28%) were male and 23 (24.72%) female. The mean age was 43.95 years. The disease duration was calculated based on the age of diagnosis and the mean was 8.92 years (standard deviation: 7.32); 63.44% were using anti-TNF drugs. Comparing male and female patients the mean BASDAI was 4.64 and 5.49 while the mean BASFI was 5.03 and 6.35 respectively. Conclusions: The Brazilian public health system's spending related to ankylosing spondylitis has increased in recent years. An important part of these costs is due to the introduction of new, more expensive health technologies, as in the case of nuclear magnetic resonance and, mainly, the incorporation of anti-TNF therapy into the therapeutic arsenal. The mean annual direct and indirect cost to the Brazilian public health system to treat a patient with ankylosing spondylitis, according to our findings, is US$ 23,183.56.

RESUMO Introdução: Os pacientes com espondilite anquilosante (EA) exigem uma abordagem de equipe com vários profissionais e várias modalidades de tratamento, continuamente; além disso, a doença pode levar à perda da capacidade de trabalho em uma população jovem, de modo que é necessário medir o seu impacto socioeconômico. Objetivos: Descrever o uso de recursos públicos para o tratamento da EA em um hospital terciário após o uso dos fármacos biológicos ter sido aprovado para o tratamento das espondiloartrites pelo Sistema Público de Saúde e estabelecer valores aproximados para os custos diretos e indiretos do tratamento dessa doença no Brasil. Material e métodos: Foram estimados os custos de tratamento diretos e indiretos de 93 pacientes com EA do ambulatório de espondiloartrite do Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Federal do Paraná, entre setembro de 2011 e setembro 2012. Resultados: Dos pacientes, 70 (75,28%) eram do sexo masculino e 23 (24,72%) do feminino. A idade média foi de 43,95 anos. A duração da doença foi calculada com base na idade do diagnóstico e a média foi de 8,92 anos (desvio padrão: 7,32); 63,44% dos indivíduos usavam fármacos anti-TNF. Na comparação dos pacientes dos sexos masculino e feminino, a média no Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (Basdai) foi de 4,64 e 5,49, enquanto a média no Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (Basfi) foi de 5,03 e 6,35, respectivamente. Conclusões: Os gastos do sistema público de saúde brasileiro relacionados com a espondilite anquilosante aumentaram nos últimos anos. Uma parte importante desses custos deve-se à introdução das novas tecnologias de saúde, mais dispendiosas, como no caso da ressonância nuclear magnética e, principalmente, da incorporação da terapia anti-TNF ao arsenal terapêutico. O custo médio anual direto e indireto do sistema público de saúde brasileiro para tratar de um paciente com espondilite anquilosante, de acordo com os resultados deste estudo, é de US$ 23.183,56.

Treatment persistence in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis / Persistência do tratamento em pacientes com artrite reumatoide e espondilite anquilosante

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To evaluate treatment persistence in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis who started therapies with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD) and tumor necrosis factor blockers (anti-TNF drugs). METHODS This retrospective cohort study from July 2008 to September 2013 evaluated therapy persistence, which is defined as the period between the start of treatment until it is discontinued, allowing for an interval of up to 30 days between the prescription end and the start of the next prescription. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated by logistic regression models to estimate the patients' chances of persisting in their therapies after the first and after the two first years of follow-up. RESULTS The study included 11,642 patients with rheumatoid arthritis - 2,241 of these started on anti-TNF drugs (+/-DMARD) and 9,401 patients started on DMARD - and 1,251 patients with ankylosing spondylitis - 976 of them were started on anti-TNF drugs (+/-DMARD) and 275 were started on DMARD. In the first year of follow-up, 63.5% of the patients persisted in their therapies with anti-TNF drugs (+/-DMARD) and 54.1% remained using DMARD in the group with rheumatoid arthritis. In regards to ankylosing spondylitis, 79.0% of the subjects in anti-TNF (+/-DMARD) group and 41.1% of the subjects in the DMARD group persisted with their treatments. The OR (95%CI) for therapy persistence was 1.50 (1.34-1.67) for the anti-TNF (+/-DMARD) group as compared with the DMARD group in the first year for the patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and 2.33 (1.74-3.11) for the patients with ankylosing spondylitis. A similar trend was observed at the end of the second year. CONCLUSIONS A general trend of higher rates of therapy persistence with anti-TNF drugs (+/-DMARD) was observed as compared to DMARD in the study period. We observed higher persistence rates for anti-TNF drugs (+/-DMARD) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis as compared to rheumatoid arthritis; and a higher persistence for DMARD in patients with rheumatoid arthritis as compared to ankylosing spondylitis.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Avaliar a persistência do tratamento em pacientes com artrite reumatoide e espondilite anquilosante que iniciaram terapia com medicamentos modificadores do curso da doença (MMCD) e agentes bloqueadores do fator de necrose tumoral (anti-TNF). MÉTODOS Este estudo de coorte retrospectiva de julho de 2008 a setembro de 2013 avaliou a persistência na terapia, definida como o tempo do início até a descontinuação, permitindo-se um intervalo de até 30 dias entre o fim da prescrição e o início da prescrição seguinte. Odds ratio (OR) com intervalos de confiança de 95% (IC95%) foram calculados por meio de modelos de regressão logística para estimar a chance de apresentar persistência na terapia após o primeiro e os dois primeiros anos de seguimento. RESULTADOS Foram incluídos 11.642 pacientes com artrite reumatoide - 2.241 iniciaram uso de agentes anti-TNF (+/-MMCD) e 9.401 iniciaram MMCD - e 1.251 pacientes com espondilite anquilosante - 976 iniciaram uso de agentes anti-TNF (+/-MMCD) e 275 iniciaram MMCD. No primeiro ano de acompanhamento, 63,5% persistiram em terapia com anti-TNF (+/-MMCD) e 54,1% em uso de MMCD do grupo com artrite reumatoide. Em relação à espondilite anquilosante, 79,0% do grupo anti-TNF (+/-MMCD) e 41,1% do grupo MMCD persistiram no tratamento. O OR (IC95%) para persistência na terapia foi de 1,50 (1,34-1,67) para o grupo anti-TNF (+/-MMCD) comparado com MMCD no primeiro ano em pacientes com artrite reumatoide, e de 2,33 (1,74-3,11) em pacientes com espondilite anquilosante. Foi observada tendência semelhante ao final do segundo ano. CONCLUSÕES Observou-se uma tendência geral de taxas mais elevadas de persistência na terapia com anti-TNF (+/-MMCD) em relação a MMCD no período estudado. Foram observadas taxas de persistência mais elevadas para os usuários de anti-TNF (+/-MMCD) em pacientes com espondilite anquilosante em relação a artrite reumatoide, e maior persistência para MMCD em pacientes com artrite reumatoide em relação à espondilite anquilosante.

Fluoroscopy-guided intra-articular sacroiliac joint steroid injection for sacroiliitis in ankylosing spondylitis: a Case Report / Infiltración intraarticular de esteroides en la articulación sacro-ilíaca guiada por fluoroscopia para la sacroiliitis en la espondilitis anquilosante: Reporte de Caso

Sacroiliitis, a condition commonly seen in ankylosing spondylitis, is well known to be one of the main pain generators of low back pain, which may result in difficulty with walking. A 20-year old male with history of ankylosing spondylitis presented to the University Hospital of the West Indies, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic, with a two-year history of right buttock, low back and groin pain. Radiographic evaluation revealed increased sclerosis and erosive changes in bilateral sacroiliac joints, right greater than left. Right intra-articular sacroiliac joint steroid injection was administered under fluoroscopy guidance. Post-injection visual analogue pain scale (VAS) score with activity improved from 8 to 1 and Oswestry Disability Index improved from 40% moderate disability to 16% minimal disability. The patient's overall assessment was 95% perceived improvement in pain. This case report illustrates the effectiveness of intra-articular sacroiliac joint steroid injection in treating sacroiliitis in ankylosing spondylitis.

La sacroilitis, una condición comúnmente vista en la espondilitis anquilosante, es bien conocida por ser uno de los principales generadores de dolor lumbar, que puede ocasionar dificultad para caminar. Un paciente de 20 años de edad con una historia de espondilitis anquilosante, acompañada de dos años de dolor en la nalga derecha, la región lumbar, y en la ingle, acudió a la Clínica de Rehabilitación y Medicina Física del Hospital Universitario de West Indies. La evaluación radiográfica reveló esclerosis aumentada y cambios erosivos en la articulación sacroilíaca bilateral, mayor en el lado derecho que en el izquierdo. Con la ayuda de la fluoroscopia para guiar el procedimiento, se le administró al paciente una inyección intraarticular de esteroide en la articulación sacro-ilíaca, al lado derecho. La puntuación de la escala analógica visual del dolor (VAS) tras la inyección mejoró de 8 a 1, y el Índice de Discapacidad de Oswestry mejoró de una discapacidad moderada del 40% a una mínima discapacidad del 16%. La evaluación general del paciente fue de un 95% en cuanto a la percepción de la mejoría del dolor. Este reporte de caso ilustra la eficacia de la inyección intraarticular de esteroides de la articulación sacroilíaca para el tratamiento de la sacroiliitis en la espondilitis anquilosante.

Cost-of-Illness and Quality of Life in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis at a Tertiary Hospital in Korea

The objectives of this study were to estimate the cost-of-illness (COI) and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in Korea and to evaluate the effects of socio-demographic and clinical factors on the COI and the HRQOL. Face-to-face interview surveys were taken from patients with AS at the Rheumatology Clinic of Seoul National University Hospital. Direct medical and non-medical costs, indirect costs (productivity loss due to job loss and sick leave), and deterioration of HRQOL in patients with AS were measured. Factors associated with COI and HRQOL were analyzed with multiple regression and multivariate logistic regression. A total of 191 patients with AS was enrolled in the study. The COI in patients with AS amounted to 11,646,180 Korean Won (KRW) per patient, and their HRQOL was 0.62. As functional severity worsened, the total costs increased (class I, KRW 7.7 million; class II, KRW 12.9 million; classes III & IV, KRW 25.2 million) and the HRQOL scores decreased (class I, 0.72; class II, 0.61; classes III & IV, 0.24). Functional severity is the major determinant of the COI and HRQOL in patients with AS.

Safe Re-administration of Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNFalpha) Inhibitors in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis or Ankylosing Spondylitis Who Developed Active Tuberculosis on Previous Anti-TNFalpha Therapy

There is no consensus on whether it is safe to re-administer tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) inhibitors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or ankylosing spondylitis (AS) flared after withdrawal of TNFalpha inhibitors due to active tuberculosis (TB). We evaluated the safety of restarting anti-TNFalpha therapy in patients with TNFalpha-associated TB. We used data of 1,012 patients with RA or AS treated with TNFalpha inhibitors at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital between January 2003 and July 2013 to identify patients who developed active TB. Demographic and clinical data including the results of tuberculin skin tests (TST) and interferon-gamma releasing assays (IGRA) were collected. Fifteen patients developed active TB. Five cases were occurred in RA and 10 cases in AS. Nine of 15 patients had a negative TST or IGRA and 6 TST-positive patients had received prophylaxis prior to initiating anti-TNFalpha therapy. All patients discontinued TNFalpha inhibitors with starting the treatment of TB. Eight patients were re-administered TNFalpha inhibitors due to disease flares and promptly improved without recurrence of TB. TNFalpha inhibitors could be safely resumed after starting anti-TB regimen in patients with RA or AS.

Drug Survival Rates of Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis

We investigated the compliance of Korean patients using tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and identified potential predictors associated with treatment discontinuation. The study population comprised 114 RA and 310 AS patients treated with TNF inhibitors at a single tertiary center for at least 1 yr from December 2002 to November 2011. Of the 114 RA patients, 64 (56.1%) discontinued their first TNF inhibitors with a mean duration of 18.1 months. By contrast, 65 of 310 patients (21.0%) with AS discontinued their first TNF inhibitors, with a mean duration of 84 months. Although the survival rate did not differ among the three TNF inhibitors in the AS patients, the etanercept group had a lower discontinuation rate than the infliximab group in the RA patients. In addition, RA patients who received corticosteroids in combination with TNF inhibitors were more likely to discontinue their TNF inhibitors. The independent predictors of drug discontinuation in AS patients were male gender and complete ankylosis on radiographs of the sacroiliac joint. Our results provide further evidence that real-life treatment outcomes of RA and AS patients may be different from those observed in randomized clinical trials.

Drug Survival Rates of Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis

We investigated the compliance of Korean patients using tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and identified potential predictors associated with treatment discontinuation. The study population comprised 114 RA and 310 AS patients treated with TNF inhibitors at a single tertiary center for at least 1 yr from December 2002 to November 2011. Of the 114 RA patients, 64 (56.1%) discontinued their first TNF inhibitors with a mean duration of 18.1 months. By contrast, 65 of 310 patients (21.0%) with AS discontinued their first TNF inhibitors, with a mean duration of 84 months. Although the survival rate did not differ among the three TNF inhibitors in the AS patients, the etanercept group had a lower discontinuation rate than the infliximab group in the RA patients. In addition, RA patients who received corticosteroids in combination with TNF inhibitors were more likely to discontinue their TNF inhibitors. The independent predictors of drug discontinuation in AS patients were male gender and complete ankylosis on radiographs of the sacroiliac joint. Our results provide further evidence that real-life treatment outcomes of RA and AS patients may be different from those observed in randomized clinical trials.