Incidence, risk factors and validation of the RABBIT score for serious infections in a cohort of 1557 patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Systematic Literature Review on the Incidence of Herpes Zoster in Populations at Increased Risk of Disease in the EU/EEA, Switzerland, and the UK

INTRODUCTION

Older adults and patients with underlying conditions such as immunocompromised (IC) populations (e.g., due to medical conditions or immunosuppressive medication) are at increased risk for herpes zoster (HZ). The first HZ recombinant vaccine for IC patients was approved in 2020. Limited evidence exists to inform decision-makers on HZ incidence in high-risk patients in Europe. This systematic literature review (SLR) assessed HZ incidence across 14 high-risk populations in the European Union/European Economic Area, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

METHODS

An SLR (Embase, Medline, 2002-2022, observational studies) was performed to identify HZ incidence (i.e., primary outcomes: rate or cumulative; secondary: relative incidence) in type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus (DM); chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma; depression; rheumatic disorders (RD); multiple sclerosis (MS); inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD); psoriasis; lupus; human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); solid organ transplantation (SOT); solid organ malignancy (SOM); hematologic malignancy (HM); and stem cell transplantation (SCT).

RESULTS

Of 776 unique records screened, 59 studies were included (24 reported incidence rate per 1000 person-years; two, cumulative incidence per 1000 persons; and 33, relative incidence). The highest incidence rates were reported for SOT (12.1-78.8) and SCT (37.2-56.1); HM (2.9-32.0); RD (0.41-21.5); lupus (11.0-16.5); IC mixed population (11.3-15.5); HIV/AIDS (11.8-13.0); chronic respiratory diseases (4.7-11.4); SOM (8.8-11.0); IBD (7.0-10.8); DM (4.3-9.4); depression (7.2-7.6); MS (5.7-6.3); and psoriasis (5.3-6.1). In many high-risk populations, HZ incidence was higher for older age groups, women, and some treatments.

CONCLUSIONS

The HZ incidence rate in Europe increased with age and varied across high-risk populations, with high rates for solid organ and stem cell transplants, cancer, and rheumatoid arthritis. Most studies were retrospective with methodological differences affecting generalizability and comparability. Future studies should stratify data by IC population, age, sex, severity, medication, and study timeframe.

Multiple morbidities are associated with serious infections in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE

To assess the association between a comprehensive list of morbidities and serious infection (SI) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS

This study evaluated SI risk associated with 55 comorbidities using a population-based inception cohort including all adult patients with incident RA from 1999 through 2014 with follow up through 2021. Morbidities and SI were ascertained using previously validated international classification of disease (ICD)-9 and ICD-10 codes. Conditional frailty models were utilized to analyze the association between each morbidity and SI: Model 1 adjusted for age, sex, and calendar year; Model 2 adjusted for factors in Model 1 and the Rheumatoid Arthritis Observation of Biologic Therapy (RABBIT) Risk Score of Infections; and Model 3 adjusted for factors in Model 1 and the Mayo SI Risk Score.

RESULTS

911 patients (70 % female, mean age 56 years, 66 % seropositive) were included. There were 293 SI among 155 patients (17 %), corresponding to an incidence of 3.9 SI per 100 person-years. Eighteen SI were fatal. Risk of SI was significantly increased in 27 of 55 morbidities in Model 1, 11 morbidities in Model 2, and 23 morbidities in Model 3. Additionally, several morbidities included in the RABBIT and Mayo risk scores continued to have large effect sizes despite adjustment. Serious infection risk increased by 11-16 % per morbidity in the three models.

CONCLUSIONS

Several morbidities are associated with an increased risk for SI. Future risk scores may include morbidities identified in this study for improved SI risk assessment.

Effectiveness and safety of treat-to-target strategy for methotrexate-naïve rheumatoid arthritis patients >75 years of age

Objectives

To identify differences in effectiveness and safety of a treat-to-target (T2T) strategy comparing late-onset MTX-naïve RA patients (LORA) ≥75 or <75 years of age.

Methods

Treatment was adjusted to target low disease activity with conventional synthetic DMARDs followed by biologic DMARDs (bDMARDs) in LORA ≥75 years (n = 98, mean age 80.0 years) and LORA <75 years (n = 99) with moderate-high disease activity. Achievement of Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI) remission at week 156 by non-responder imputation analysis was evaluated as a primary outcome.

Results

LORA ≥75 years had more comorbidities than LORA <75 years, but SDAI and ACPA positivity were similar at baseline. Of the LORA ≥75 years, 70.4% started MTX and 34.1% and 37.1% received a bDMARD at week 52 and 156, respectively (very similar to the LORA <75 years). Glucocorticoid use was more frequent in the LORA ≥75 years than in the LORA <75 years. Comorbidities/adverse events more frequently contributed to the reasons for non-adherence to T2T in the LORA ≥75 than in the LORA <75. At week 156, 32.7% of the LORA ≥75 and 66.7% of the LORA <75 achieved SDAI remission (P < 0.001). The cumulative incidence of serious adverse events (SAEs) over 156 weeks was 42.8% in the LORA ≥75 and 22.1% in the LORA <75. Multivariable analysis indicated an increased risk of SDAI non-remission at week 156 in the LORA ≥75 [odds ratio 2.82 (95% CI 1.29. 6.14)] after adjusting for comorbidities at baseline, non-adherence to T2T and SAEs.

Conclusions

It was more difficult to achieve remission in the LORA ≥75 patients than in the LORA <75 patients due to both poor treatment response and safety issues.

Infection outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with abatacept and other disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs: Results from a 10-year international post-marketing study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate risk of infections requiring hospitalization and opportunistic infections, including tuberculosis, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with abatacept versus conventional synthetic (cs) disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and other biologic/targeted synthetic (b/ts) DMARDs.

METHODS

Five international observational data sources were used: two biologic registries (Sweden, Germany), a disease registry (USA) and two healthcare claims databases (Canada, USA). Crude incidence rates (IRs) per 1000 patient-years, with 95 % CIs, were used to estimate rate ratios (RRs) comparing abatacept versus csDMARDs or other b/tsDMARDs. RRs were adjusted for demographic factors, comorbidities, and other potential confounders and then pooled across data sources using a random effects model (REM).

RESULTS

The data sources included 6450 abatacept users, 136,636 csDMARD users and 54,378 other b/tsDMARD users, with a mean follow-up range of 2.2-6.2 years. Across data sources, the IRs for infections requiring hospitalization ranged from 16 to 56 for abatacept, 19-46 for csDMARDs, and 18-40 for other b/tsDMARDs. IRs for opportunistic infections were 0.4-7.8, 0.3-4.3, and 0.5-3.8; IRs for tuberculosis were 0.0-8.4, 0.0-6.0, and 0.0-6.3, respectively. The pooled adjusted RR (95 % CI), only reported for infections requiring hospitalization, was 1.2 (0.6-2.2) for abatacept versus csDMARDs and 0.9 (0.6-1.3) versus other b/tsDMARDs.

CONCLUSIONS

Data from this international, observational study showed similar hospitalized infection risk for abatacept versus csDMARDs or other b/tsDMARDs. IRs for opportunistic infections, including tuberculosis, were low. These data are consistent with the known safety profile of abatacept.

Safe and Efficient Use of Tocilizumab in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patient on Maintenance Hemodialysis: A Case Report

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic autoimmune and inflammatory disease. Conventional synthetic and biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), Janus kinase inhibitors, and rituximab are used to treat the disease. There are no recommendations or guidelines for the treatment of patients with both inflammatory arthritis and end-stage renal disease (ESRD), despite the safety and efficacy of the mentioned drugs. The anti-interleukin-6 receptor antibody tocilizumab (TCZ) has not been used as a long-term therapy for hemodialysis (HD) patients with RA, except in a few case reports. Case Description: We present the case of a 41-year-old patient with RA and ESRD on maintenance HD due to type 1 diabetes-related complications. Due to high RA disease activity, the patient was not a suitable candidate for a kidney transplant. Because TCZ is used to treat both RA and kidney transplant rejection, therapy with a full dose of TCZ was administered. The patient has achieved sustained clinical remission (for the past four years) with no adverse events reported. Conclusions: Herein, we present the safe and effective use of TCZ in an RA patient on HD who is also a candidate for kidney transplant. Consequently, TCZ could be the treatment of choice for RA patients with ESRD who have not achieved disease control (low activity or remission) with conventional synthetic DMARDs. Clinical studies are required to evaluate the efficacy and safety of biologic DMARDs and Janus kinase inhibitors in patients with both inflammatory arthritis and ESRD.

Patterns and factors associated with pneumococcal vaccination in a prospective cohort of 1,697 patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Introduction

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at increased risk for serious infections. Pneumococcal vaccination is among the most important preventive measures, however, vaccine uptake is suboptimal. We explored the rate and factors associated with pneumococcal vaccination in a contemporary RA cohort.

Materials and methods

Multi-center, prospective, RA cohort study in Greece. Patient and disease characteristics and influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations were documented at baseline and 3 years later.

Results

One thousand six hundred and ninety-seven patients were included and 34.5% had already received at least one pneumococcal vaccine at baseline. Among 1,111 non-vaccinated patients, 40.1% received pneumococcal vaccination during follow-up, increasing the vaccine coverage to 60.8%. By multivariate analysis, positive predictors for pneumococcal vaccination included prescription of influenza vaccine (OR = 33.35, 95% CI: 18.58-59.85), history of cancer (OR = 2.35, 95% CI: 1.09-5.06), bDMARD use (OR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.29-2.65), seropositivity (OR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.05-2.05), and high disease activity (DAS28-ESR, OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.17-1.51). Male sex (OR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.43-0.99) was a negative predictor for pneumococcal vaccination during follow-up.

Discussion

Despite increasing rates of pneumococcal vaccine coverage, 40% of RA patients remain unvaccinated. Severe disease, bDMARD use, comorbidities, and more importantly flu vaccination were the most significant factors associated with pneumococcal vaccination, emphasizing the currently unmet need for cultivating a "vaccination culture" in RA patients.

Vergleichende Analysen der Sicherheit neuer Medikamente in Beobachtungskohorten: Wie berücksichtigt man die Veränderung von Risiken im Zeitverlauf?

Hintergrund und Ziel der Arbeit

Seit rund 20 Jahren werden in der Rheumatologie langfristig angelegte prospektive Beobachtungskohorten („Register“) geführt, die das Sicherheits- und Wirksamkeitsprofil aller innovativen Therapien vergleichend analysieren. Anders als in randomisierten klinischen Studien werden Patient:innen in der täglichen Praxis nicht nach dem Zufallsprinzip behandelt, sondern entsprechend ihrem klinischen Bedarf. Beim Vergleich von Therapiegruppen muss daher systematischen Unterschieden Rechnung getragen werden. Am Beispiel des in der Rheumatologie etablierten „RABBIT-Risikoscores für schwerwiegende Infektionen“ (entwickelt im Register RABBIT – „Rheumatoide Arthritis: Beobachtung der Biologikatherapie“) werden Methoden hierfür diskutiert.

Material und Methoden

Mit Hilfe von Propensity-Score (PS)-Methoden wurden die Patient:innen in den zu vergleichenden Gruppen so gewichtet, dass ihre Risikofaktoren zum entsprechenden Zeitpunkt balanciert waren. Diese Gewichtung wurde nicht nur zu Beobachtungsbeginn angewandt, sondern für jeden 6‑Monats-Zeitraum der Beobachtung, um die sich im Zeitverlauf verändernden Risiken sowohl auf individueller als auch auf Kohortenebene zu berücksichtigen.

Ergebnisse

Nach Beginn einer Biologikatherapie wird im Vergleich zur Standardtherapie ein erhöhtes Infektionsrisiko beobachtet, das aber im Zeitverlauf rasch abnimmt. Eine umfängliche Adjustierung in einem Poisson-Regressionsmodell kann den zeitlichen Trend erklären: Etwa ein Drittel des Rückgangs des Infektionsrisikos ist auf die unter der Therapie sinkende Krankheitsaktivität zurückzuführen, zwei Drittel begründen sich durch Kohorteneffekte wie Therapiewechsel oder Drop-out.

Schlussfolgerung

Bei Anwendung geeigneter Methoden kann in Beobachtungsdaten nicht nur für Unterschiede zu Baseline, sondern auch für Veränderungen von Risiken im Zeitverlauf adjustiert werden. Damit sind Kausalschlüsse möglich, die für die klinische Entscheidungsfindung relevant sind.

Management of progressive pulmonary fibrosis associated with connective tissue disease

INTRODUCTION

: Fibrotic interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a frequent and severe complication of connective tissue disease (CTD).

AREAS COVERED

: In this narrative review, we update the most relevant differential characteristics of fibrotic ILD associated with CTD (CTD-ILD) and propose a diagnostic and therapeutic approach based on a review of the articles published between 2002 and 2022 through PubMed.

EXPERT OPINION

: The subset of ILD, mainly the radiological/histological pattern and the degree of fibrotic component, usually determines the prognosis and therapeutic strategy for these patients. Some patients with CTD-ILD can develop progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF) with severe deterioration of lung function, rapid progression to chronic respiratory failure, and high mortality. PPF has been described in many CTDs, mainly in systemic sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis, and requires a multidisciplinary diagnostic and therapeutic approach to improve patient outcomes.

[Latest findings from the RABBIT register]

Seit 2001 rekrutieren Rheumatolog:innen deutschlandweit Patient:innen mit rheumatoider Arthritis in das Biologikaregister RABBIT, um die Langzeitsicherheit und -wirksamkeit moderner antirheumatischer Therapien zu untersuchen. In den vergangenen 20 Jahren wurden mehr als 20.000 Patient:innen in die prospektive Kohortenstudie eingeschlossen. In diesem Beitrag fassen wir aktuelle Forschungsergebnisse der Jahre 2020 und 2021 zusammen; dabei stehen Sicherheitsaspekte, Einflussfaktoren auf die Therapiewirksamkeit und patientenberichtete Outcomes im Fokus. Mit Herpes zoster, Fazialisparese und Psoriasis wurden verschiedene unerwünschte Ereignisse untersucht, die entweder als Sicherheitssignal aus klinischen Studien oder durch die EudraVigilance-Datenbank gemeldet wurden oder als paradoxe Reaktion unter medikamentöser Behandlung aufgetreten sind. Für diese Ereignisse wurde der Einfluss der biologischen DMARD(„disease-modifying antirheumatic drug“)-Therapie analysiert. In der Publikation zu Herpes zoster berücksichtigten wir auch die medikamentöse Behandlung mit Januskinaseinhibitoren. Starkes Übergewicht kann den Erfolg einer Therapie beeinflussen. Hier gibt es geschlechtsspezifische Unterschiede, und auch das Wirkprinzip einer Therapie entscheidet, ob eine Adipositas das Therapieansprechen reduziert. Die Mehrheit der in RABBIT beobachteten Patient:innen ist nach 1 Jahr Behandlung mit der erhaltenen Therapie zufrieden. Wir konnten zeigen, welche Faktoren die Zufriedenheit mit der Wirksamkeit und der Sicherheit der Behandlung begünstigen oder aber negativ beeinflussen. Diese Übersichtsarbeit zeigt, dass Langzeitbeobachtungsstudien wie das RABBIT-Register auch nach 2 Dekaden der Datenerhebung zum Verständnis von Therapierisiken beiträgt sowie Faktoren identifiziert, die die Wirkung der Therapien beeinflussen können.