Key clinical point: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who were ≥65 years old had a significantly increased risk of developing sarcopenia, particularly if they were men with poor nutritional status and long-standing disease.

Major finding: Sarcopenia was diagnosed in a higher proportion of patients with RA vs control individuals without RA (15.8% vs 3.9%; P = .014). Male sex (P = .042), longer disease duration (P = .012), and poorer nutritional status (P = .042) were significant risk factors for the development of sarcopenia in older patients with RA.

Study details: Findings are from a cross-sectional study including 76 patients age ≥ 65 years with RA and 76 age- and sex-matched control individuals without RA.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Redes de Investigación Cooperativa Orientadas a Resultados en Salud, Spain, and other sources. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Cano-García L et al. Sarcopenia and nutrition in elderly rheumatoid arthritis patients: A cross-sectional study to determine prevalence and risk factors. Nutrients. 2023;15:2440 (May 24). doi: 10.3390/nu15112440

Key clinical point: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who were ≥65 years old had a significantly increased risk of developing sarcopenia, particularly if they were men with poor nutritional status and long-standing disease.

Major finding: Sarcopenia was diagnosed in a higher proportion of patients with RA vs control individuals without RA (15.8% vs 3.9%; P = .014). Male sex (P = .042), longer disease duration (P = .012), and poorer nutritional status (P = .042) were significant risk factors for the development of sarcopenia in older patients with RA.

Study details: Findings are from a cross-sectional study including 76 patients age ≥ 65 years with RA and 76 age- and sex-matched control individuals without RA.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Redes de Investigación Cooperativa Orientadas a Resultados en Salud, Spain, and other sources. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Cano-García L et al. Sarcopenia and nutrition in elderly rheumatoid arthritis patients: A cross-sectional study to determine prevalence and risk factors. Nutrients. 2023;15:2440 (May 24). doi: 10.3390/nu15112440

Key clinical point: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who were ≥65 years old had a significantly increased risk of developing sarcopenia, particularly if they were men with poor nutritional status and long-standing disease.

Major finding: Sarcopenia was diagnosed in a higher proportion of patients with RA vs control individuals without RA (15.8% vs 3.9%; P = .014). Male sex (P = .042), longer disease duration (P = .012), and poorer nutritional status (P = .042) were significant risk factors for the development of sarcopenia in older patients with RA.

Study details: Findings are from a cross-sectional study including 76 patients age ≥ 65 years with RA and 76 age- and sex-matched control individuals without RA.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Redes de Investigación Cooperativa Orientadas a Resultados en Salud, Spain, and other sources. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Cano-García L et al. Sarcopenia and nutrition in elderly rheumatoid arthritis patients: A cross-sectional study to determine prevalence and risk factors. Nutrients. 2023;15:2440 (May 24). doi: 10.3390/nu15112440

Key clinical point: Intensive treatment more effectively suppressed joint damage progression than the current treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who showed joint damage progression and had low disease activity (LDA) or were in remission.

Major finding: At 1 year of treatment, intensive vs current treatment was associated with a smaller change in the van der Heijde modified total Sharp score (ΔTSS; 0.67 vs 1.79; P < .001) and joint space narrowing scores (0.57 vs 1.41; P < .001) and a larger proportion of patients achieved a ΔTSS of ≤0.5 (66.7% vs 32.4%; P = .010).

Study details: This retrospective study included 89 patients with RA in remission or with LDA who showed joint damage progression and were assigned to either receive intensive treatment or continue the current treatment.

Disclosures: This study did not declare the funding source. T Mochizuki, K Yano, and K Ikari declared receiving lecture honoraria from various sources. The other authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Mochizuki T et al. Intensive treatment for the progression of joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis patients with low disease activity or remission. Mod Rheumatol. 2023 (Jun 2). doi: 10.1093/mr/road041

Key clinical point: Intensive treatment more effectively suppressed joint damage progression than the current treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who showed joint damage progression and had low disease activity (LDA) or were in remission.

Major finding: At 1 year of treatment, intensive vs current treatment was associated with a smaller change in the van der Heijde modified total Sharp score (ΔTSS; 0.67 vs 1.79; P < .001) and joint space narrowing scores (0.57 vs 1.41; P < .001) and a larger proportion of patients achieved a ΔTSS of ≤0.5 (66.7% vs 32.4%; P = .010).

Study details: This retrospective study included 89 patients with RA in remission or with LDA who showed joint damage progression and were assigned to either receive intensive treatment or continue the current treatment.

Disclosures: This study did not declare the funding source. T Mochizuki, K Yano, and K Ikari declared receiving lecture honoraria from various sources. The other authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Mochizuki T et al. Intensive treatment for the progression of joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis patients with low disease activity or remission. Mod Rheumatol. 2023 (Jun 2). doi: 10.1093/mr/road041

Key clinical point: Intensive treatment more effectively suppressed joint damage progression than the current treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who showed joint damage progression and had low disease activity (LDA) or were in remission.

Major finding: At 1 year of treatment, intensive vs current treatment was associated with a smaller change in the van der Heijde modified total Sharp score (ΔTSS; 0.67 vs 1.79; P < .001) and joint space narrowing scores (0.57 vs 1.41; P < .001) and a larger proportion of patients achieved a ΔTSS of ≤0.5 (66.7% vs 32.4%; P = .010).

Study details: This retrospective study included 89 patients with RA in remission or with LDA who showed joint damage progression and were assigned to either receive intensive treatment or continue the current treatment.

Disclosures: This study did not declare the funding source. T Mochizuki, K Yano, and K Ikari declared receiving lecture honoraria from various sources. The other authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Mochizuki T et al. Intensive treatment for the progression of joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis patients with low disease activity or remission. Mod Rheumatol. 2023 (Jun 2). doi: 10.1093/mr/road041

Key clinical point: Ultrasound detected subclinical inflammation in the wrist joints of most patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in clinical remission or with lower disease activity, with the risk for subclinical inflammation being lower among those using biologic therapy.

Major finding: Overall, subclinical inflammation was detected in 57.4% of the patients in complete remission or with lower disease activity. Factors negatively associated with subclinical inflammation included the use of biologic therapy (odds ratio [OR] 0.59; P = .001), methotrexate (OR 0.83; P = .020), and glucocorticoids (OR 0.60; P = .001) and alcohol consumption (OR 0.55; P = .006).

Study details: This cross-sectional study included 1248 patients with RA who underwent gray scale and power Doppler ultrasound assessments of the dorsal radiolunate joints of both wrists.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan, and other sources. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Wang YW et al. Factors associated with subclinical inflammation of wrist joints in rheumatoid arthritis patients with low or no disease activity—A RA ultrasound registry study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2023;24:438 (May 30). doi: 10.1186/s12891-023-06521-8

Key clinical point: Ultrasound detected subclinical inflammation in the wrist joints of most patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in clinical remission or with lower disease activity, with the risk for subclinical inflammation being lower among those using biologic therapy.

Major finding: Overall, subclinical inflammation was detected in 57.4% of the patients in complete remission or with lower disease activity. Factors negatively associated with subclinical inflammation included the use of biologic therapy (odds ratio [OR] 0.59; P = .001), methotrexate (OR 0.83; P = .020), and glucocorticoids (OR 0.60; P = .001) and alcohol consumption (OR 0.55; P = .006).

Study details: This cross-sectional study included 1248 patients with RA who underwent gray scale and power Doppler ultrasound assessments of the dorsal radiolunate joints of both wrists.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan, and other sources. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Wang YW et al. Factors associated with subclinical inflammation of wrist joints in rheumatoid arthritis patients with low or no disease activity—A RA ultrasound registry study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2023;24:438 (May 30). doi: 10.1186/s12891-023-06521-8

Key clinical point: Ultrasound detected subclinical inflammation in the wrist joints of most patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in clinical remission or with lower disease activity, with the risk for subclinical inflammation being lower among those using biologic therapy.

Major finding: Overall, subclinical inflammation was detected in 57.4% of the patients in complete remission or with lower disease activity. Factors negatively associated with subclinical inflammation included the use of biologic therapy (odds ratio [OR] 0.59; P = .001), methotrexate (OR 0.83; P = .020), and glucocorticoids (OR 0.60; P = .001) and alcohol consumption (OR 0.55; P = .006).

Study details: This cross-sectional study included 1248 patients with RA who underwent gray scale and power Doppler ultrasound assessments of the dorsal radiolunate joints of both wrists.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan, and other sources. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Wang YW et al. Factors associated with subclinical inflammation of wrist joints in rheumatoid arthritis patients with low or no disease activity—A RA ultrasound registry study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2023;24:438 (May 30). doi: 10.1186/s12891-023-06521-8

Key clinical point: Depression significantly predicted death in patients with incident rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but with a strength similar to that in matched comparator individuals without RA.

Major finding: The risk for all-cause mortality was >3-fold higher (adjusted hazard rate ratio [aHRR] 3.15; 95% CI 2.62-3.79) in patients with RA with vs without depression, with the risk being higher among patients age < 55 years compared with other age groups (aHRR 8.13; 95% CI 3.89-17.02). In addition, depression predicted all-cause mortality with similar strength in comparator individuals without RA (aHRR 3.77; 95% CI 3.48-4.08).

Study details: This study included 11,071 patients with incident RA and 55,355 matched comparator individuals without RA from the general population.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Danish Rheumatism Association. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Pedersen JK et al. Mortality in patients with incident rheumatoid arthritis and depression: A Danish cohort study of 11,071 patients and 55,355 comparators. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2023 (May 30). doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/kead259

Key clinical point: Depression significantly predicted death in patients with incident rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but with a strength similar to that in matched comparator individuals without RA.

Major finding: The risk for all-cause mortality was >3-fold higher (adjusted hazard rate ratio [aHRR] 3.15; 95% CI 2.62-3.79) in patients with RA with vs without depression, with the risk being higher among patients age < 55 years compared with other age groups (aHRR 8.13; 95% CI 3.89-17.02). In addition, depression predicted all-cause mortality with similar strength in comparator individuals without RA (aHRR 3.77; 95% CI 3.48-4.08).

Study details: This study included 11,071 patients with incident RA and 55,355 matched comparator individuals without RA from the general population.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Danish Rheumatism Association. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Pedersen JK et al. Mortality in patients with incident rheumatoid arthritis and depression: A Danish cohort study of 11,071 patients and 55,355 comparators. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2023 (May 30). doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/kead259

Key clinical point: Depression significantly predicted death in patients with incident rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but with a strength similar to that in matched comparator individuals without RA.

Major finding: The risk for all-cause mortality was >3-fold higher (adjusted hazard rate ratio [aHRR] 3.15; 95% CI 2.62-3.79) in patients with RA with vs without depression, with the risk being higher among patients age < 55 years compared with other age groups (aHRR 8.13; 95% CI 3.89-17.02). In addition, depression predicted all-cause mortality with similar strength in comparator individuals without RA (aHRR 3.77; 95% CI 3.48-4.08).

Study details: This study included 11,071 patients with incident RA and 55,355 matched comparator individuals without RA from the general population.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Danish Rheumatism Association. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Pedersen JK et al. Mortality in patients with incident rheumatoid arthritis and depression: A Danish cohort study of 11,071 patients and 55,355 comparators. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2023 (May 30). doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/kead259

Key clinical point: Perioperative use of Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) seemed safe in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) undergoing orthopedic procedures; however, the benefits of withholding JAKi to prevent postoperative complications should be balanced against the risk for a flare-up in disease activity.

Major finding: Overall, 20 patients undergoing 31 orthopedic procedures continued JAKi perioperatively, whereas 16 patients undergoing 18 procedures discontinued JAKi perioperatively by ≥1 dose for various reasons. No surgical site infections were reported during ≥90 days of follow-up. Disease flare-up was observed in 2 patients who discontinued JAKi for 3 and 14 days, respectively; however, those who discontinued JAKi for ≤1 day showed no flare-up.

Study details: This retrospective study included 32 patients with RA who had disease under control with JAKi and underwent a total of 49 orthopedic procedures.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding, grants, or other support. K Nishida declared receiving research grants or speaker fees from various sources.

Source: Nishida K et al. Influence of Janus kinase inhibitors on early postoperative complications in patients with rheumatoid arthritis undergoing orthopaedic surgeries. Mod Rheumatol. 2023 (Jun 3). doi: 10.1093/mr/road047

Key clinical point: Perioperative use of Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) seemed safe in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) undergoing orthopedic procedures; however, the benefits of withholding JAKi to prevent postoperative complications should be balanced against the risk for a flare-up in disease activity.

Major finding: Overall, 20 patients undergoing 31 orthopedic procedures continued JAKi perioperatively, whereas 16 patients undergoing 18 procedures discontinued JAKi perioperatively by ≥1 dose for various reasons. No surgical site infections were reported during ≥90 days of follow-up. Disease flare-up was observed in 2 patients who discontinued JAKi for 3 and 14 days, respectively; however, those who discontinued JAKi for ≤1 day showed no flare-up.

Study details: This retrospective study included 32 patients with RA who had disease under control with JAKi and underwent a total of 49 orthopedic procedures.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding, grants, or other support. K Nishida declared receiving research grants or speaker fees from various sources.

Source: Nishida K et al. Influence of Janus kinase inhibitors on early postoperative complications in patients with rheumatoid arthritis undergoing orthopaedic surgeries. Mod Rheumatol. 2023 (Jun 3). doi: 10.1093/mr/road047

Key clinical point: Perioperative use of Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) seemed safe in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) undergoing orthopedic procedures; however, the benefits of withholding JAKi to prevent postoperative complications should be balanced against the risk for a flare-up in disease activity.

Major finding: Overall, 20 patients undergoing 31 orthopedic procedures continued JAKi perioperatively, whereas 16 patients undergoing 18 procedures discontinued JAKi perioperatively by ≥1 dose for various reasons. No surgical site infections were reported during ≥90 days of follow-up. Disease flare-up was observed in 2 patients who discontinued JAKi for 3 and 14 days, respectively; however, those who discontinued JAKi for ≤1 day showed no flare-up.

Study details: This retrospective study included 32 patients with RA who had disease under control with JAKi and underwent a total of 49 orthopedic procedures.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding, grants, or other support. K Nishida declared receiving research grants or speaker fees from various sources.

Source: Nishida K et al. Influence of Janus kinase inhibitors on early postoperative complications in patients with rheumatoid arthritis undergoing orthopaedic surgeries. Mod Rheumatol. 2023 (Jun 3). doi: 10.1093/mr/road047

Key clinical point: Hydroxychloroquine treatment conferred survival benefits in a dose-dependent manner in patients with elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with patients receiving a monthly cumulative dose of 1374.5-5778.5 mg or more showing better survival than those receiving <1374.5 mg.

Major finding: Hydroxychloroquine treatment was a protective factor against mortality in patients with elderly-onset RA (hazard ratio 0.30; P = .002), with a cumulative dose of <1374.5 mg vs 1374.5-5,778.5 mg or more leading to the lowest survival rate (P < .001).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective observational study including 980 patients with elderly-onset RA (disease onset after 60 years of age) who had received conventional synthetic, biologic, or targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan, and other sources. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Lin CT et al. Association of hydroxychloroquine use with a dose-dependent decrease in mortality risk in patients with elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatol Ther. 2023 (May 12). Doi: 10.1007/s40744-023-00561-1

Key clinical point: Hydroxychloroquine treatment conferred survival benefits in a dose-dependent manner in patients with elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with patients receiving a monthly cumulative dose of 1374.5-5778.5 mg or more showing better survival than those receiving <1374.5 mg.

Major finding: Hydroxychloroquine treatment was a protective factor against mortality in patients with elderly-onset RA (hazard ratio 0.30; P = .002), with a cumulative dose of <1374.5 mg vs 1374.5-5,778.5 mg or more leading to the lowest survival rate (P < .001).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective observational study including 980 patients with elderly-onset RA (disease onset after 60 years of age) who had received conventional synthetic, biologic, or targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan, and other sources. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Lin CT et al. Association of hydroxychloroquine use with a dose-dependent decrease in mortality risk in patients with elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatol Ther. 2023 (May 12). Doi: 10.1007/s40744-023-00561-1

Key clinical point: Hydroxychloroquine treatment conferred survival benefits in a dose-dependent manner in patients with elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with patients receiving a monthly cumulative dose of 1374.5-5778.5 mg or more showing better survival than those receiving <1374.5 mg.

Major finding: Hydroxychloroquine treatment was a protective factor against mortality in patients with elderly-onset RA (hazard ratio 0.30; P = .002), with a cumulative dose of <1374.5 mg vs 1374.5-5,778.5 mg or more leading to the lowest survival rate (P < .001).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective observational study including 980 patients with elderly-onset RA (disease onset after 60 years of age) who had received conventional synthetic, biologic, or targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan, and other sources. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Lin CT et al. Association of hydroxychloroquine use with a dose-dependent decrease in mortality risk in patients with elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatol Ther. 2023 (May 12). Doi: 10.1007/s40744-023-00561-1

Key clinical point: Tofacitinib use increased the risk for herpes zoster (HZ) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) compared with tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi); however, the rate of serious HZ or tofacitinib discontinuation due to HZ was low.

Major finding: The incidence of HZ was significantly higher among patients receiving tofacitinib vs TNFi (incidence rate ratio 8.33; P < .001). However, the incidence of serious HZ was not significantly different between the groups (P = .452), with HZ leading to only one case of permanent tofacitinib discontinuation.

Study details: This study included 912 patients with RA from two single-center prospective cohorts (tofacitinib cohort n = 200 and TNFi cohort n = 712).

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Republic of Korea, and Pfizer. Two authors declared being employees and shareholders of Pfizer Inc. YK Sung declared receiving research grants from Pfizer and other sources. The other authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Song YJ et al. Increased risk of herpes zoster with tofacitinib treatment in Korean patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A single‑center prospective study. Sci Rep. 2023;13:7877 (May 15). doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-33718-7

Key clinical point: Tofacitinib use increased the risk for herpes zoster (HZ) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) compared with tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi); however, the rate of serious HZ or tofacitinib discontinuation due to HZ was low.

Major finding: The incidence of HZ was significantly higher among patients receiving tofacitinib vs TNFi (incidence rate ratio 8.33; P < .001). However, the incidence of serious HZ was not significantly different between the groups (P = .452), with HZ leading to only one case of permanent tofacitinib discontinuation.

Study details: This study included 912 patients with RA from two single-center prospective cohorts (tofacitinib cohort n = 200 and TNFi cohort n = 712).

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Republic of Korea, and Pfizer. Two authors declared being employees and shareholders of Pfizer Inc. YK Sung declared receiving research grants from Pfizer and other sources. The other authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Song YJ et al. Increased risk of herpes zoster with tofacitinib treatment in Korean patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A single‑center prospective study. Sci Rep. 2023;13:7877 (May 15). doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-33718-7

Key clinical point: Tofacitinib use increased the risk for herpes zoster (HZ) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) compared with tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi); however, the rate of serious HZ or tofacitinib discontinuation due to HZ was low.

Major finding: The incidence of HZ was significantly higher among patients receiving tofacitinib vs TNFi (incidence rate ratio 8.33; P < .001). However, the incidence of serious HZ was not significantly different between the groups (P = .452), with HZ leading to only one case of permanent tofacitinib discontinuation.

Study details: This study included 912 patients with RA from two single-center prospective cohorts (tofacitinib cohort n = 200 and TNFi cohort n = 712).

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Republic of Korea, and Pfizer. Two authors declared being employees and shareholders of Pfizer Inc. YK Sung declared receiving research grants from Pfizer and other sources. The other authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Song YJ et al. Increased risk of herpes zoster with tofacitinib treatment in Korean patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A single‑center prospective study. Sci Rep. 2023;13:7877 (May 15). doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-33718-7

Key clinical point: Frailty is a significant contributing factor leading to methotrexate discontinuation due to adverse events in long-term pretreated patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Major finding: Overall, 7.4% of the patients discontinued methotrexate due to adverse events during 2 years of follow-up, with methotrexate retention being significantly lower among patients with vs without frailty (P < .05) and frailty being a significant factor contributing to methotrexate discontinuation (adjusted hazard ratio 2.34; 95% CI 1.02-5.37).

Study details: This retrospective longitudinal study included 323 patients with RA who used methotrexate at baseline.

Disclosures: This study did not declare the funding source. The authors did not report conflicts of interest.

Source: Sobue Y et al. Relationship between frailty and methotrexate discontinuation due to adverse events in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Clin Rheumatol. 2023 (May 22). doi: 10.1007/s10067-023-06639-z

Key clinical point: Frailty is a significant contributing factor leading to methotrexate discontinuation due to adverse events in long-term pretreated patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Major finding: Overall, 7.4% of the patients discontinued methotrexate due to adverse events during 2 years of follow-up, with methotrexate retention being significantly lower among patients with vs without frailty (P < .05) and frailty being a significant factor contributing to methotrexate discontinuation (adjusted hazard ratio 2.34; 95% CI 1.02-5.37).

Study details: This retrospective longitudinal study included 323 patients with RA who used methotrexate at baseline.

Disclosures: This study did not declare the funding source. The authors did not report conflicts of interest.

Source: Sobue Y et al. Relationship between frailty and methotrexate discontinuation due to adverse events in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Clin Rheumatol. 2023 (May 22). doi: 10.1007/s10067-023-06639-z

Key clinical point: Frailty is a significant contributing factor leading to methotrexate discontinuation due to adverse events in long-term pretreated patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Major finding: Overall, 7.4% of the patients discontinued methotrexate due to adverse events during 2 years of follow-up, with methotrexate retention being significantly lower among patients with vs without frailty (P < .05) and frailty being a significant factor contributing to methotrexate discontinuation (adjusted hazard ratio 2.34; 95% CI 1.02-5.37).

Study details: This retrospective longitudinal study included 323 patients with RA who used methotrexate at baseline.

Disclosures: This study did not declare the funding source. The authors did not report conflicts of interest.

Source: Sobue Y et al. Relationship between frailty and methotrexate discontinuation due to adverse events in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Clin Rheumatol. 2023 (May 22). doi: 10.1007/s10067-023-06639-z

Key clinical point: Concomitant use of antimalarials with biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARD) or Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) improved the overall safety profile and persistence of treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Major finding: The concomitant use vs nonuse of antimalarials was associated with a reduced risk for serious adverse events (multivariate incidence rate ratios [mIRR] 0.49; P < .001), total adverse events (mIRR 0.68; P < .001), and serious infections (mIRR 0.53; P = .007) and with longer survival of treatment course (hazard ratio 0.72; P = .003).

Study details: Findings are from a registry-based cohort study including 1316 patients with RA who initiated their first bDMARD or JAKi with (n = 280) or without (n = 1,036) concomitant antimalarials.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology and other sources. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Bredemeier M et al, for the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology and the Brazilian Registry of Biological Therapies in Rheumatic Diseases (BiobadaBrasil). The effect of antimalarials on the safety and persistence of treatment with biologic agents or JAK inhibitors in rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2023 (May 22). doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/kead232

Key clinical point: Concomitant use of antimalarials with biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARD) or Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) improved the overall safety profile and persistence of treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Major finding: The concomitant use vs nonuse of antimalarials was associated with a reduced risk for serious adverse events (multivariate incidence rate ratios [mIRR] 0.49; P < .001), total adverse events (mIRR 0.68; P < .001), and serious infections (mIRR 0.53; P = .007) and with longer survival of treatment course (hazard ratio 0.72; P = .003).

Study details: Findings are from a registry-based cohort study including 1316 patients with RA who initiated their first bDMARD or JAKi with (n = 280) or without (n = 1,036) concomitant antimalarials.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology and other sources. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Bredemeier M et al, for the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology and the Brazilian Registry of Biological Therapies in Rheumatic Diseases (BiobadaBrasil). The effect of antimalarials on the safety and persistence of treatment with biologic agents or JAK inhibitors in rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2023 (May 22). doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/kead232

Key clinical point: Concomitant use of antimalarials with biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARD) or Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) improved the overall safety profile and persistence of treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Major finding: The concomitant use vs nonuse of antimalarials was associated with a reduced risk for serious adverse events (multivariate incidence rate ratios [mIRR] 0.49; P < .001), total adverse events (mIRR 0.68; P < .001), and serious infections (mIRR 0.53; P = .007) and with longer survival of treatment course (hazard ratio 0.72; P = .003).

Study details: Findings are from a registry-based cohort study including 1316 patients with RA who initiated their first bDMARD or JAKi with (n = 280) or without (n = 1,036) concomitant antimalarials.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology and other sources. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Bredemeier M et al, for the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology and the Brazilian Registry of Biological Therapies in Rheumatic Diseases (BiobadaBrasil). The effect of antimalarials on the safety and persistence of treatment with biologic agents or JAK inhibitors in rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2023 (May 22). doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/kead232

Key clinical point: Peresolimab, a humanized antibody stimulating the programmed cell death protein 1 inhibitory pathway, showed significant efficacy compared with placebo in improving disease activity in patients with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Major finding: At week 12, 700 mg peresolimab vs placebo was associated with a significantly greater change in Disease Activity Scores for 28 joints based on C-reactive protein levels (between-group difference in change from baseline −1.09; P < .001). The safety profiles were similar in all treatment groups, and no deaths were reported.

Study details: This phase 2a trial included 98 patients with moderate-to-severe RA and inadequate or loss of response to or unacceptable side effects with conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs who were randomly assigned to receive peresolimab (300 or 700 mg) or placebo once every 4 weeks.

Disclosures: This study was supported by Eli Lilly. Five authors declared being employees of or owning stocks in Eli Lilly. Several authors declared ties with various sources, including Eli Lilly.

Source: Tuttle J et al. A phase 2 trial of peresolimab for adults with rheumatoid arthritis. N Engl J Med. 2023;388:1853-1862 (May 18). doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2209856

Key clinical point: Peresolimab, a humanized antibody stimulating the programmed cell death protein 1 inhibitory pathway, showed significant efficacy compared with placebo in improving disease activity in patients with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Major finding: At week 12, 700 mg peresolimab vs placebo was associated with a significantly greater change in Disease Activity Scores for 28 joints based on C-reactive protein levels (between-group difference in change from baseline −1.09; P < .001). The safety profiles were similar in all treatment groups, and no deaths were reported.

Study details: This phase 2a trial included 98 patients with moderate-to-severe RA and inadequate or loss of response to or unacceptable side effects with conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs who were randomly assigned to receive peresolimab (300 or 700 mg) or placebo once every 4 weeks.

Disclosures: This study was supported by Eli Lilly. Five authors declared being employees of or owning stocks in Eli Lilly. Several authors declared ties with various sources, including Eli Lilly.

Source: Tuttle J et al. A phase 2 trial of peresolimab for adults with rheumatoid arthritis. N Engl J Med. 2023;388:1853-1862 (May 18). doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2209856

Key clinical point: Peresolimab, a humanized antibody stimulating the programmed cell death protein 1 inhibitory pathway, showed significant efficacy compared with placebo in improving disease activity in patients with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Major finding: At week 12, 700 mg peresolimab vs placebo was associated with a significantly greater change in Disease Activity Scores for 28 joints based on C-reactive protein levels (between-group difference in change from baseline −1.09; P < .001). The safety profiles were similar in all treatment groups, and no deaths were reported.

Study details: This phase 2a trial included 98 patients with moderate-to-severe RA and inadequate or loss of response to or unacceptable side effects with conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs who were randomly assigned to receive peresolimab (300 or 700 mg) or placebo once every 4 weeks.

Disclosures: This study was supported by Eli Lilly. Five authors declared being employees of or owning stocks in Eli Lilly. Several authors declared ties with various sources, including Eli Lilly.

Source: Tuttle J et al. A phase 2 trial of peresolimab for adults with rheumatoid arthritis. N Engl J Med. 2023;388:1853-1862 (May 18). doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2209856