Results of one-year treat-to-target strategy in early psoriatic arthritis: data of an open-label REMARCA study

Abstract

Objectives: to study efficacy of treat-to-target (T2T) strategy in early peripheral psoriatic arthritis (EPsA) after one year of treatment. Methods: 44 (M/F - 18/26) DMARD-naїve patients (pts) with active EPsA, according to the CASPAR criteria, mean age 37.5±11.3 years, PsA duration 7 [4; 24] months, psoriasis duration 36 [12; 84] months, disease activity index (DAS) 3.78 [3.18; 4.67], DAS28 4.33 [3.67; 4.8] study were included. At the baseline and every other 3 months for total 12 months of therapy all pts underwent standard clinical examination, tender joint count (TJC), swollen joint count (SJC), patient pain VAS, patient/physician´s global disease activity VAS, enthesitis by Leeds Enthesial Index (LEI)+Plantar Fascia (PF), dactylitis, Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI), body surface area (BSA), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), DAS, DAS28-C-RP, C-RP (mg/l). The dose of MTX s/c was escalated by 5 mg every 2 weeks from 10 mg/wk to appropriate dose 20-25 mg/wk according to the drug intolerance. If pts does not achieve the lower disease activity (LDA), MDA or remission after 3 months of MTX subcutaneous (s/c) mono-therapy, then combination therapy of MTX+Adalimumab (ADA) by standard regime was continued up to one year. At 12 months of therapy the proportion of pts who attained LDA by DAS/DAS28 or remission by DAS

Keywords

• early psoriatic arthritis
• methotrexate
• treatment-to-target strategy
• minimal disease activity
• enthesitis
• dactylitis