RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Although it is common for rheumatologists to initiate biologic agents after failure of methotrexate monotherapy in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ample data support the initial use of combinations of conventional therapies in this clinical scenario. Our study explores the durability of triple therapy (methotrexate, sulfasalazine, and hydroxychloroquine) versus methotrexate-etanercept in RA. METHODS: RA patients with suboptimal response to methotrexate (n = 353) were randomized to either triple therapy or methotrexate-etanercept therapy in a 48-week, double-blinded, noninferiority trial. Patients without clinical improvement at 24 weeks were switched to the alternative treatment. Of the total, 289 participated in followup. We report treatment durability, Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28), and other measures during an open-label extension for an additional period up to 72 weeks. RESULTS: Mean ± SD duration of open-label followup was 11 ± 6 months. The likelihood of continuing conventional therapy at 1 year was 78% for triple therapy versus 63% for methotrexate-etanercept, with most treatment changes occurring at the start of followup. More patients changed from methotrexate-etanercept to triple therapy than from triple therapy to methotrexate-etanercept (P = 0.005). DAS28 scores and other disease activity measures were not different for the 2 treatments and were stable during followup. CONCLUSION: In RA patients with suboptimal methotrexate response randomized to receive triple therapy or methotrexate-etanercept, the former was found to be significantly more durable. Given cost differences and similar outcomes, the variable durability demonstrated provides additional evidence supporting conventional combinations over biologic agent combinations as the first choice after methotrexate inadequate response.
Asunto(s)
Antirreumáticos/administración & dosificación , Artritis Reumatoide/tratamiento farmacológico , Productos Biológicos/administración & dosificación , Etanercept/administración & dosificación , Hidroxicloroquina/administración & dosificación , Metotrexato/administración & dosificación , Sulfasalazina/administración & dosificación , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Antirreumáticos/efectos adversos , Artritis Reumatoide/diagnóstico , Productos Biológicos/efectos adversos , Canadá , Evaluación de la Discapacidad , Método Doble Ciego , Sustitución de Medicamentos , Quimioterapia Combinada , Etanercept/efectos adversos , Femenino , Humanos , Hidroxicloroquina/efectos adversos , Masculino , Metotrexato/efectos adversos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Inducción de Remisión , Sulfasalazina/efectos adversos , Factores de Tiempo , Resultado del Tratamiento , Estados Unidos , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
We present a case of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) in a 39-year-old female who developed an acute febrile illness marked by polyarthralgia and rash after returning from Saint Lucia. This epidemic-prone pathogen is increasingly likely to be encountered by primary care and hospital physicians in the coming months. The virus was first locally transmitted in the Caribbean in December 2013 and has since spread to 44 countries and 47 US states, affecting a suspected 1.2 million people. A mosquito-borne virus, CHIKV causes a severe and symmetric polyarthralgia that can relapse for months to years, creating debilitating illness and profound socioeconomic consequences. Current treatment is limited to supportive measures, which are dependent on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Research into immunomodulatory agents, antiviral therapies, and vaccines is ongoing. Prevention remains key in slowing the spread of disease. Patient education should focus on personal protective measures, such as insect repellant and remaining indoors, while public health departments should implement strategies to control vector breeding grounds. Given the possibility of relapsing and debilitating disease, general internists should consider CHIKV in the differential diagnosis of a returning traveler with acute onset of fever, polyarthralgia, and rash.