Prognostic factors associated with achieving minimal disease activity in early psoriatic arthritis patients treated according to “treat-to-target” st rategy within 12 months

Abstract

Background. The goal of “treat-to-target” strategy (T2T) in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is attaining remission or minimal disease activity (MDA). The benefits of T2T are shown recently in the study TICOPA and REMARCA. But prognostic factors for achievement MDA in PsA patients (pts) at the early-stage hasn’t been studied yet.Objective – to determine the prognostic factors associated with achievement of minimal disease activity within 12 months (mo) of treatment according to T2T strategy in early psoriatic arthritis patients.Methods. 77 pts (M/F=36/41) with early PsA fulfilling the CASPAR criteria were included. Mean age 36.9±10.45 years, PsA duration 11.1±10.0 mo, psoriasis duration 82.8±92.1 mo. At baseline (BL) and at 12 mo of therapy PsA activity by tender joins count (TJC) out of 68; swelling joints count (SJC) out of 66; pain; patient global assessment disease activity (PGA) using visual analogue scale; CRP; dactylitis, enthesitis by LEI and plantar fascia; BSA; HAQ and fatigue by FACIT 4 scale were evaluated. A score FACIT <30 indicates severe fatigue, the higher the score – the better the quality of life. All pts were given therapy with Methotrexate (MTX) s/c, 29 pts with ineffectiveness of MTX after 3–9 mo of treatment were added biologic DMARDs. The one-factor model of logistic regression was used to identify a group of features that are associated with achievement MDA.Results. By 12 mo of therapy, the proportion of pts who have reached MDA (5/7) were calculated. Pts were split into 2 groups: MDA+ (n=45) and MDA– (n=32).Comparative analysis of BL features in both groups and one-factor model of logistic regression showed the following features were associated with achievement MDA: TJC and SJC<3 (p<0.001); PGA≤20 mm (p<0.001); pain≤15 mm (p<0.001); CRP≤5 mg/l (p<0.03); HAQ≤0.5 (p<0.001); FACIT>30 points (p<0.021); absent of entesitis (p<0.003), dactylitis (p<0.029) and nail damage (p<0.012). Early PsA pts with combination of these features on first visit have more chance to achieve MDA in comparison to PsA pts without them (OR=9.684 [95% CI: 4.6–20.4]).Conclusion. It is a combination of features on first visit – oligoarthritis, moderate activity, absent of entesitis, dactylitis, nail psoriasis, significant impact on function and fatigue – that constitutes a clinical prognostic factors for achievement MDA after 12 mo of treatment in pts with early PsA according T2T.

Keywords

• early psoriatic arthritis
• “treat-to-target” strategy
• minimal disease activity
• prognostic factors