January 2024

Efficacy of Pharmacological Interventions: A Systematic Review Informing the 2023 EULAR Recommendations for the Management of Fatigue in People with Inflammatory Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases

RMD Open 2023;9(4):e003349 doi 10.1136/rmdopen-2023-003349

Adalimumab demonstrated superiority over placebo in reducing fatigue in RA at 12 and 52 weeks. Other interventions, which included golimumab, baricitinib, sarilumab, tocilizumab, and tofacitinib, also proved effective in reducing fatigue in patients with RA. Secukinumab also reduced fatigue by Week 52 in patients with SpA.

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2023 EULAR Recommendations for the Management of Fatigue in People with Inflammatory Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases

Ann Rheum Dis 2023 doi 10.1136/ard-2023-224514 Epub ahead of print

These recommendations from EULAR provide consensus and up-to-date guidance on fatigue management in people with I-RMDs, which includes advice regarding pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions.

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Implementation of Regulatory Guidance for JAK Inhibitors Use in Patients with Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases: An International Appropriateness Study

Autoimmun Rev. 2023;23(3):103504 doi: 10.1016/j.autrev.2023.103504 Epub ahead of print

In this two-round modified RAM study by Solitano, et al., the authors found that experts preferred to assess JAK inhibitor risk on a case-by-case basis across all specialties. Uncertainty remained on several clinical scenarios regarding the appropriate use of JAK inhibitors, however they remain an important therapy option for the treatment of IMIDs  and were deemed appropriate for patients with moderate risk profiles.

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The Effect of Two Years of Secukinumab Treatment on Bone Metabolism in Patients with Radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis: Results from Daily Clinical Practice

Biologics 2023;17:161–166 doi: 10.2147/BTT.S434318

Siderius, et al. found that secukinumab was associated with low spinal radiographic progression. Furthermore, bone-related outcomes and BTMs related to collagen resorption (sCTX, PINP) remained constant during the 2-year period, whereas the BTM related to mineralisation (BALP) decreased significantly.

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Effects of Secukinumab on Synovitis and Enthesitis in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis: 52-week Clinical and Ultrasound Results from the Randomised, Double-blind ULTIMATE Trial with Open Label Extension

Semin Arthritis Rheum 2023;63:152259

This Phase 3 RCT by D’Agostino, et al. assessed the long-term effect of secukinumab to placebo at tissue level on synovitis and enthesitis, and across all PsA manifestations. They found consistent improvements in clinically and ultrasound-assessed synovitis and enthesitis.

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December 2023

Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Bimekizumab in Axial Spondyloarthritis: A Systematic Literature Review and Network Meta-analysis

Rheumatology (Oxford). 2023 doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/kead598 Epub ahead of print

This systematic literature review and network meta-analysis provides evidence for bimekizumab being an efficacious option in the management of both b/tsDMARD-naïve and experienced patients across the axSpA spectrum, with similar safety and tolerability to existing treatments.

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Patient Clusters Identified by Machine Learning from a Pooled Analysis of the Clinical Development Programme of Secukinumab in Psoriatic Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis and Psoriatic Arthritis with Axial Manifestations

Clin Exp Rheumatol 2023;42(3):696–701 doi: 10.55563/clinexprheumatol/b8co74

Psoriatic arthritis clusters, obtained by machine learning (ML) analysis of pooled data from the FUTURE, MEASURE, and MAXIMISE trials, indicate phenotypical heterogeneity of patients with PsA and axial manifestations and overlapping features across the spondyloarthritis spectrum. Here, Baraliakos, et al. sort to identify distinct clinical clusters, based on patient demographics and baseline clinical indicators, from the secukinumab clinical development programme.

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MACE and VTE across Upadacitinib Clinical Trial Programmes in Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis

RMD Open 2023; 9(4):e003392 doi 10.1136/rmdopen-2023-003392

Rates of MACE and VTE events in patients with RA or PsA treated are consistent across 15 mg and 30 mg doses of upadacitinib, and comparable with active comparators adalimumab and MTX. Several risk factors were also identified for MACE and VTE events in patients with RA.

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November 2023

Global, Regional, and National Burden of Other Musculoskeletal Disorders, 1990–2020, and Projections to 2050: A Systematic Analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Lancet Rheumatol 2023;5:e670–82 doi 10.1016/S2665-9913(23)00232-1

As part of the GBD 2021, the authors provide updated estimates for the global burden of musculoskeletal disorders, excluding RA, osteoarthritis, low back pain, neck pain, and gout. In 2020, the total years lived with disability globally was estimated to be 42.7 million, which was a 122% increase from 1990. Over the same time period, mortality increased by 199%. The study forecasts an increase in cases by 2050 in all regions, with the exception of Central Europe.

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Effects of 1-year Tofacitinib Therapy on Angiogenic Biomarkers in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatology (Oxford) 2023; 62(SI3):SI304–SI312 doi 10.1093/rheumatology/kead502

This study by Kerekes, et al. investigated the relationship between tofacitinib therapy, angiogenic biomarker levels, and vascular inflammation and function in RA patients. The authors found that tofacitinib treatment reduced the production of bFGF, PlGF and IL-6, which may inhibit synovial and aortic inflammation.

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