Efficacy and safety of intravenous golimumab plus methotrexate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis aged < 65 years and those ≥ 65 years of age.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravenous golimumab + methotrexate (MTX) in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) aged < 65 years and those ≥ 65 years who were enrolled in the GO-FURTHER study.

Methods: In the phase III, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled GO-FURTHER trial, patients with active RA were randomized to intravenous (IV) golimumab 2 mg/kg + MTX or placebo + MTX at weeks 0 and 4, then every 8 weeks thereafter (with crossover to golimumab at week 16 [early escape] or week 24 [per-protocol]). The final golimumab infusion was at week 100.

Outcomes of infliximab dose escalation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Introduction: Dose escalation of infliximab in both primary and secondary nonresponders is widely reported; however, the usefulness of dose escalation has been disputed. The objective of this analysis is to evaluate trends in clinical efficacy following multiple infliximab dose escalations in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Patients enrolled in a US RA registry were included if they initiated infliximab at 3 mg/kg every 8 weeks, received ≥ 1 infliximab dose escalation within 12 months of initiation, and had ≥ 1 visit following dose escalation.

Comparative analysis of US real-world dosing patterns and direct infusion-related costs for matched cohorts of rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with infliximab or intravenous golimumab.

Purpose: The objectives of this study were to evaluate and compare treatment patterns and infusion-related health care resource expenditures for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients initiating golimumab for intravenous use (GLM-IV) and infliximab (IFX) therapy and to assess cost implications from the commercial perspective.

Methods: Adult RA patients with a new episode of GLM-IV or IFX treatment between Janu-ary 1, 2014 and March 31, 2016 were identified from MarketScan databases and evaluated for maintenance infusion intervals and related costs of treatment. IFX and GLM-IV patients were matched 1:1 on index medication treatment duration, gender, payer type, prior biologic use, and post-index methotrexate use.

Patient Perspectives on Intravenous Biologics for Rheumatologic Disease.

Objective: Two surveys were conducted with patients with rheumatologic diseases to evaluate perceptions of different routes of administration (intravenous [IV] or subcutaneous [SC]) for biologic therapy.

Methods: In Survey I, patient preferences toward biologic treatment were evaluated at a rheumatology practice in Buffalo, New York. In Survey II, Canadian patients enrolled in the BioAdvance patient support program and scheduled to receive IV biologic therapy were asked about their opinions of IV treatment.

The Effectiveness of Intravenous Golimumab Administered Directly After Infliximab in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients.

Purpose: For patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who do not respond or lose response to anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) biologics, switching to a different anti-TNF can be an effective means to manage symptoms and disease progression. This study examined the utilization and effectiveness of intravenous golimumab within a real-world population of patients with RA switching directly from infliximab, a potent anti-TNF.

Methods: Patient charts (n = 113) were collected from five US-based rheumatology practices.

Satisfaction with Subcutaneous Golimumab and its Auto-Injector among Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients with Inadequate Response to Adalimumab or Etanercept.

Background: Patient perceptions of treatment success, including satisfaction/preference, may complement clinical efficacy assessments.

Objective: Our objective was to evaluate satisfaction with subcutaneous golimumab and its auto-injector in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and an inadequate adalimumab/etanercept response.

Methods: In the multicenter, assessor-blinded GO-SAVE study, 433 patients with active RA (28-joint Disease Activity Score incorporating erythrocyte sedimentation rate [DAS28-ESR] ≥ 3.

Ethnographic Observational Study of the Biologic Initiation Conversation Between Rheumatologists and Biologic-Naive Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients.

Objective: This ethnographic market research study investigated the biologic initiation conversation between rheumatologists and biologic-naive patients with rheumatoid arthritis to assess how therapy options, particularly mode of administration, were discussed.

Methods: Consenting rheumatologists (n = 16) and patients (n = 48) were videotaped during medical visits and interviewed by a trained ethnographer. The content, structure, and timing of conversations regarding biologic initiation were analyzed.

Patient-reported outcome assessment of inflammatory arthritis patient experience with intravenously administered biologic therapy.

Objective: To evaluate patient perspectives regarding utilization of intravenous (IV) therapy for inflammatory arthritis (IA).

Methods: This was a single-center, noninterventional, patient questionnaire-based study of adult IA patients currently receiving IV biologics. At a single visit, patients completed the questionnaire comprising 30 questions centered on their experience receiving an intravenously administered therapy to treat their IA.

Infliximab efficacy in rheumatoid arthritis after an inadequate response to etanercept or adalimumab: results of a target-driven active switch study.

Objective: Evaluate efficacy of infliximab with response-driven dosing in patients with active RA.

Research Design And Methods: Patients (n = 203) with active RA despite methotrexate + etanercept/adalimumab, participated in this active-infliximab-switch study. Infliximab 3 mg/kg was infused at Weeks 0, 2, 6, 14, and 22 with escalation to 5 or 7 mg/kg depending on EULAR response at Weeks 14 and 22.

A comparative effectiveness study of adalimumab, etanercept and infliximab in biologically naive and switched rheumatoid arthritis patients: results from the US CORRONA registry.

Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) agents in biologically naive and 'switched' rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

Methods: RA patients enrolled in the CORRONA registry newly prescribed adalimumab (n=874), etanercept (n=640), or infliximab (n=728) were stratified based on previous anti-TNF use. Clinical effectiveness at 6, 12 and 24 months was examined using the modified American College of Rheumatology response criteria (mACR20/50/70) and achievement of remission (28-joint disease activity score (DAS28) and clinical disease activity index (CDAI)) in unadjusted and adjusted analyses.

Rosai-Dorfman disease in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD), also known as sinus histocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy, is a clinically benign, frequently chronic, painless lymphadenopathy. It can also involve extranodal sites. We describe a 37-year-old man with a recent diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome who had lacrimal gland and orbital involvement and nodal and extranodal sites with RDD.

Musculoskeletal manifestations of endocrine disorders.

Purpose Of Review: Much of our education about endocrine disorders focuses on their diagnosis and treatment. Although the musculoskeletal manifestations of endocrine disorders are well documented, they are often overlooked. This review will discuss new developments regarding those rheumatic manifestations.

Septic arthritis caused by Actinobacillus ureae in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis receiving anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha therapy.

Actinobacillus ureae, formerly known as Pasteurella ureae, is a rare human pathogen. We describe a case of septic arthritis and abscess formation caused by this unusual organism in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis, who was being treated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors.

Systemic lupus erythematosus and acute pancreatitis: a case series.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether corticosteroid use is the etiological agent in acute pancreatitis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, or whether it is related to the underlying connective tissue disorder. Hospital admissions at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital between 1982 and 2002 that carried the dual diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus and pancreatitis were identified, and demographic data, clinical interventions and parameters of clinical progression of their disease were identified. From 2947 admissions with systemic lupus erythematosus 25 (0.

Pregnancy outcomes in female renal recipients: a comparison of systemic lupus erythematosus with other diagnoses.

This study compares pregnancy outcomes in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients post renal transplant with recipients with other primary diagnoses, utilizing data from the National Transplantation Pregnancy Registry, Philadelphia, PA. Recipients were referred from transplant centers nationwide. A retrospective analysis was performed using data from questionnaires, hospital records and telephone interviews.

Calcium apatite crystals in synovial fluid rice bodies.

Background: Rice bodies can occur in the joints in many rheumatic conditions, but they are most common in rheumatoid arthritis. They are generally believed to occur rarely in patients with osteoarthritis, but one study reported rice bodies with apatite crystals.

Objective: To report on a series of joint fluids with rice bodies containing apatite clumps and examine their clinical pictures.

Transverse myelopathy in systemic lupus erythematosus: an analysis of 14 cases and review of the literature.

Objective: To give a comprehensive review of transverse myelopathy (TM), a rare but serious condition reported in 1-2% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: 14 patients with SLE and TM were evaluated and 91 additional cases published in the English and German literature reviewed.

Results: TM presented either as the initial manifestation or within five years of the diagnosis of SLE.

Treatment of acquired factor VIII inhibitor using intravenous immunoglobulin in two patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Acquired inhibitors of factor VIII have rarely been reported in the presence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Treatment is usually corticosteroids, with or without immunosuppressive agents such as cyclophosphamide or azathioprine. We report here case histories of 2 patients, one with documented SLE, the other with a forme fruste of SLE.

Acute rheumatic fever.

During the first half of this century rheumatic fever was a common disease with significant morbidity and mortality in the United States. In the 1980s, when many clinicians were hoping this disease was a disease of the past, anxieties were renewed when outbreaks were reported in several areas around the country. Although the etiology still eludes us, insight has been gained.