Patients lacking classical poor prognostic markers might also benefit from a step-down glucocorticoid bridging scheme in early rheumatoid arthritis: week 16 results from the randomized multicenter CareRA trial

Patrick Verschueren, Diederik De Cock, Luk Corluy, Rik Joos, Christine Langenaken, Veerle Taelman, Frank Raeman, Isabelle Ravelingien, Klaas Vandevyvere, Jan Lenaerts, Elke Geens, Piet Geusens, Johan Vanhoof, Anne Durnez, Jan Remans, Bert Vander Cruyssen, Els Van Essche, An Sileghem, Griet De Brabanter, Johan Joly, Kristien Van der Elst, Sabrina Meyfroidt, Rene Westhovens, CareRA study group, Patrick Verschueren, Diederik De Cock, Luk Corluy, Rik Joos, Christine Langenaken, Veerle Taelman, Frank Raeman, Isabelle Ravelingien, Klaas Vandevyvere, Jan Lenaerts, Elke Geens, Piet Geusens, Johan Vanhoof, Anne Durnez, Jan Remans, Bert Vander Cruyssen, Els Van Essche, An Sileghem, Griet De Brabanter, Johan Joly, Kristien Van der Elst, Sabrina Meyfroidt, Rene Westhovens, CareRA study group

Abstract

Introduction: Considering a lack of efficacy data in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (eRA) presenting without classical markers of poor prognosis, we compared methotrexate (MTX) with or without step-down glucocorticoids in the CareRA trial.

Methods: Disease-modifying antirheumatic drug-naïve patients with eRA were stratified into a low-risk group based on prognostic markers that included non-erosiveness, anti-citrullinated protein antibodies and rheumatoid factor negativity and low disease activity (Disease Activity Score in 28 joints based on C-reactive protein (DAS28(CRP)) ≤3.2). Patients were randomized to 15 mg of MTX weekly (MTX with tight step-up (MTX-TSU)) or 15 mg of MTX weekly with prednisone bridging, starting at 30 mg and tapered to 5 mg daily from week 6 (COmbinatie therapie bij Reumatoïde Artritis (COBRA Slim)). A TSU approach was applied. Outcomes assessed were DAS28(CRP)-determined remission, cumulative disease activity, Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) scores and adverse events (AEs) after 16 treatment weeks.

Results: We analyzed 43 COBRA Slim and 47 MTX-TSU patients and found that 65.1% in the COBRA Slim group and 46.8% in the MTX-TSU group reached remission (P = 0.081). Mean ± standard deviation area under the curve values of DAS28(CRP) were 13.84 ± 4.58 and 11.18 ± 4.25 for the MTX-TSU and COBRA Slim patients, respectively (P = 0.006). More COBRA Slim patients had an HAQ score of 0 (51.2% versus 23.4%, P = 0.006) at week 16. Therapy-related AEs between groups did not differ.

Conclusion: In patients with low-risk eRA, MTX with step-down glucocorticoid bridging seems more efficacious than MTX step-up monotherapy, with a comparable number of AEs observed over the first 16 treatment weeks.

Trial registration: EU Clinical Trials Register Identifier: EudraCT number 2008-007225-39 . Registered 5 November 2008.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Classification of patients into high- or low-risk group according to classic prognostic factors. ACPA, Anti–citrullinated protein antibodies; DAS28(CRP), Disease Activity Score in 28 joints based on C-reactive protein; RF, Rheumatoid factor.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Areas under the curve of Disease Activity Score in 28 joints based on C-reactive protein in each treatment group. COBRA Slim, COmbinatie therapie bij Reumatoïde Artritis; DAS28(CRP), Disease Activity Score in 28 joints based on C-reactive protein; MTX-TSU, 15 mg of MTX weekly with tight step-up; W, Week.

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