A Canadian Retrospective Chart Review Evaluating Concomitant Methotrexate De-escalation Patterns in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis Treated with Biologic or Targeted Synthetic DMARDs.

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) guidelines recommend methotrexate (MTX)-anchored therapy with biologic or targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (b/tsDMARDs); however, tolerability issues often lead to non-adherence. Canadian data on MTX tapering and/or withdrawal following b/tsDMARD initiation are minimal. This chart review assessed frequency of MTX tapering or withdrawal following b/tsDMARD initiation and the impact on disease status in Canadian adults with RA.

Long-term effectiveness and safety of infliximab, golimumab and golimumab-IV in rheumatoid arthritis patients from a Canadian prospective observational registry.

Background: Long-term clinical registries are essential tools to evaluate new therapies in a patient population that differs from those in randomized clinical trials. The objectives are to describe the profile of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients treated with anti-TNF agents in Canadian routine care.

Methods: RA patients eligible for treatment with Infliximab (IFX), golimumab (GLM) or intravenous golimumab (GLM-IV) as per their respective Canadian product monographs were enrolled into the BioTRAC registry between 2002 and 2017.

Efficacy of tofacitinib in reducing pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis.

Objective: To describe the efficacy of tofacitinib in reducing pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) or ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in a post-hoc analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Methods: Data were collected from patients in seven tofacitinib studies: six phase III (four RA, two PsA) and one phase II study (AS), and grouped into five analysis populations based on rheumatic disease diagnosis and category of prior inadequate response (IR) to treatment: conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs-IR (RA and PsA), tumour necrosis factor inhibitors-IR (RA and PsA), or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-IR (AS). Only patients who received tofacitinib 5 or 10 mg twice daily or placebo were included.

The incidence of giant cell arteritis in Ontario, Canada.

Objective: The incidence of giant cell arteritis (GCA) is insufficiently documented for Canada, but important to ascertain for public health planning. We estimate the incidence of biopsy-proven GCA (BPGCA) in Kingston, Ontario, and for the province of Ontario.

Method: The number of cases of BPGCA was tabulated from retrospective chart review of all temporal artery biopsies (TABx) in Kingston, Ontario from 2011-15.

Patterns and predictors of long-term retention of inflammatory bowel or rheumatoid disease patients on innovator infliximab: an analysis of a Canadian prescriptions claims database.

Background: Long-term effectiveness is an important factor when considering treatment decisions.

Objective: To determine the long-term retention patterns of Canadian inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and rheumatologic disease (RD) patients, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis, treated with innovator infliximab (IFX) and to assess the impact of year-over-year cumulative IFX exposure on retention in both patient populations.

Patients And Methods: This analysis used a Canadian longitudinal prescription claims database to measure retention on IFX over a period of 5 years.

Real-world validation of the minimal disease activity index in psoriatic arthritis: an analysis from a prospective, observational, biological treatment registry.

Objective: To describe the minimal disease activity (MDA) rate over time in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) receiving antitumour necrosis factor agents, evaluate prognostic factors of MDA achievement and identify the most common unmet criteria among MDA achievers.

Design: Biologic Treatment Registry Across Canada (BioTRAC): ongoing, prospective registry of patients initiating treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis or PsA with infliximab (IFX), golimumab (GLM) or ustekinumab.

Setting: 46 primary-care Canadian rheumatology practices.

Treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee with a topical diclofenac solution: a randomised controlled, 6-week trial [ISRCTN53366886].

Background: Topical NSAIDs have been proven to relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA) in short-term studies (2 weeks). To justify its chronic use, efficacy of a topical NSAID over a longer term of study should be demonstrated. The efficacy and safety of a topical diclofenac solution over a 6-week treatment course in symptomatic primary OA of the knee was investigated.

Regional hemodynamic effects of the N-(2-benzoylphenyl)-L-tyrosine peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma ligand, GI 262570 [(S)-2-(2-benzoylphenylamino)-3-[4-[2-(5-methyl-2-phenyl-2-oxazol-4-yl)ethoxy]phenyl]propionic acid], in conscious rats.

This study provides novel data on the regional hemodynamic effects of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma activator, GI 262570 [(S)-2-(2-benzoylphenylamino)-3-[4-[2-(5-methyl-2-phenyl-2-oxazol-4-yl)ethoxy]phenyl]propionic acid], in conscious, male Sprague-Dawley rats. Administration of GI 262570 twice daily for 4 days caused a slowly developing, modest fall in mean arterial blood pressure, associated with a progressive, hyperemic hindquarters vasodilatation, but with no consistent changes in renal or mesenteric hemodynamics. The hindquarters vasodilator effect of GI 262570 was not inhibited by the beta2-adrenoceptor antagonist, ICI 118551 ((+/-)-1-[2,3-(dihydro-7-methyl-1H-inden-4-yl)oxy]-3-[(1-methylethyl) amino]-2-butanol hydrochloride), and was still apparent in the presence of the alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist, phentolamine.

Effects of a PPARgamma agonist, GI262570, on renal filtration fraction and nitric oxide level in conscious rats.

PPARgamma agonists ameliorate insulin resistance and lower blood pressure. Volume expansion/edema has been observed in susceptible patients treated with these agents. Alterations of renal hemodynamics affect renal tubular reabsorption, and thus may contribute to volume expansion.