Comparison of tocilizumab and tumour necrosis factor inhibitors in rheumatoid arthritis: a retrospective analysis of 1603 patients managed in routine clinical practice

• DOI: 10.1007/s10067-015-2879-0
• Publication Date: 2015-01-28T06:18:27Z
• Authors: Marina Backhaus; Jörg Kaufmann; Constanze Richter; Siegfried Wassenberg; Anne-Eve Roske; Peter Hellmann; Markus Gaubitz
• Keywords: Tocilizumab

Tocilizumab (TCZ) and tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) are recommended for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in patients with inadequate response (IR) to prior disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). This retrospective analysis assessed efficacy TCZ TNFi, alone or combination DMARDs, 1603 IR previous either DMARDs (DMARD-IR) and/or TNFi (TNFi-IR), initiating a managed routine clinical practice. Patients were grouped according history initiated: DMARD-IR + DMARD (DMARD-IR TCZ) TNFi), TNFi-IR monotherapy (TCZ mono) (TNFi mono), (TNFi-IR TNFi). generally had more severe disease longer duration compared corresponding group. Significantly achieved remission (DAS28 ESR <2.6) groups (DMARD-IR, 44.0 % vs. 29.6 %; monotherapy, 37.2 30.2 TNF-IR, 41.3 19.2 p < 0.001 all comparisons). More moderate–good responses (EULAR criteria) (79–85 %) (65–81 %). Patient-reported outcomes showed greater improvements groups. In treated practice, as resulted significantly achieving marked patient-reported TNF inhibitors.