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- Saevarsdottir, S., et al.
(author)
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Multiomics analysis of rheumatoid arthritis yields sequence variants that have large effects on risk of the seropositive subset
- 2022
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In: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. - : BMJ. - 0003-4967 .- 1468-2060. ; 81:8
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives To find causal genes for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its seropositive (RF and/or ACPA positive) and seronegative subsets. Methods We performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 31 313 RA cases (68% seropositive) and similar to 1 million controls from Northwestern Europe. We searched for causal genes outside the HLA-locus through effect on coding, mRNA expression in several tissues and/or levels of plasma proteins (SomaScan) and did network analysis (Qiagen). Results We found 25 sequence variants for RA overall, 33 for seropositive and 2 for seronegative RA, altogether 37 sequence variants at 34 non-HLA loci, of which 15 are novel. Genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic analysis of these yielded 25 causal genes in seropositive RA and additional two overall. Most encode proteins in the network of interferon-alpha/beta and IL-12/23 that signal through the JAK/STAT-pathway. Highlighting those with largest effect on seropositive RA, a rare missense variant in STAT4 (rs140675301-A) that is independent of reported non-coding STAT4-variants, increases the risk of seropositive RA 2.27-fold (p=2.1x10(-9)), more than the rs2476601-A missense variant in PTPN22 (OR=1.59, p=1.3x10(-160)). STAT4 rs140675301-A replaces hydrophilic glutamic acid with hydrophobic valine (Glu128Val) in a conserved, surface-exposed loop. A stop-mutation (rs76428106-C) in FLT3 increases seropositive RA risk (OR=1.35, p=6.6x10(-11)). Independent missense variants in TYK2 (rs34536443-C, rs12720356-C, rs35018800-A, latter two novel) associate with decreased risk of seropositive RA (ORs=0.63-0.87, p=10(-9)-10(-27)) and decreased plasma levels of interferon-alpha/beta receptor 1 that signals through TYK2/JAK1/STAT4. Conclusion Sequence variants pointing to causal genes in the JAK/STAT pathway have largest effect on seropositive RA, while associations with seronegative RA remain scarce.
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- Mikaelsdottir, E, et al.
(author)
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Genetic variants associated with platelet count are predictive of human disease and physiological markers
- 2021
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In: Communications biology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2399-3642. ; 4:1, s. 1132-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Platelets play an important role in hemostasis and other aspects of vascular biology. We conducted a meta-analysis of platelet count GWAS using data on 536,974 Europeans and identified 577 independent associations. To search for mechanisms through which these variants affect platelets, we applied cis-expression quantitative trait locus, DEPICT and IPA analyses and assessed genetic sharing between platelet count and various traits using polygenic risk scoring. We found genetic sharing between platelet count and counts of other blood cells (except red blood cells), in addition to several other quantitative traits, including markers of cardiovascular, liver and kidney functions, height, and weight. Platelet count polygenic risk score was predictive of myeloproliferative neoplasms, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, hypertension, and benign prostate hyperplasia. Taken together, these results advance understanding of diverse aspects of platelet biology and how they affect biological processes in health and disease.
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- Olafsson, S, et al.
(author)
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Fourteen sequence variants that associate with multiple sclerosis discovered by meta-analysis informed by genetic correlations
- 2017
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In: NPJ genomic medicine. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2056-7944. ; 2, s. 24-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A meta-analysis of publicly available summary statistics on multiple sclerosis combined with three Nordic multiple sclerosis cohorts (21,079 cases, 371,198 controls) revealed seven sequence variants associating with multiple sclerosis, not reported previously. Using polygenic risk scores based on public summary statistics of variants outside the major histocompatibility complex region we quantified genetic overlap between common autoimmune diseases in Icelanders and identified disease clusters characterized by autoantibody presence/absence. As multiple sclerosis-polygenic risk scores captures the risk of primary biliary cirrhosis and vice versa (P = 1.6 × 10−7, 4.3 × 10−9) we used primary biliary cirrhosis as a proxy-phenotype for multiple sclerosis, the idea being that variants conferring risk of primary biliary cirrhosis have a prior probability of conferring risk of multiple sclerosis. We tested 255 variants forming the primary biliary cirrhosis-polygenic risk score and found seven multiple sclerosis-associating variants not correlated with any previously established multiple sclerosis variants. Most of the variants discovered are close to or within immune-related genes. One is a low-frequency missense variant in TYK2, another is a missense variant in MTHFR that reduces the function of the encoded enzyme affecting methionine metabolism, reported to be dysregulated in multiple sclerosis brain.
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- Hetland, M. L., et al.
(author)
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Active conventional treatment and three different biological treatments in early rheumatoid arthritis: phase IV investigator initiated, randomised, observer blinded clinical trial
- 2020
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In: Bmj-British Medical Journal. - : BMJ. - 1756-1833. ; 371
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVE To evaluate and compare benefits and harms of three biological treatments with different modes of action versus active conventional treatment in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis. DESIGN Investigator initiated, randomised, open label, blinded assessor, multiarm, phase IV study. SETTING Twenty nine rheumatology departments in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, the Netherlands, and Iceland between 2012 and 2018. PARTICIPANTS Patients aged 18 years and older with treatment naive rheumatoid arthritis, symptom duration less than 24 months, moderate to severe disease activity, and rheumatoid factor or anti-citrullinated protein antibody positivity, or increased C reactive protein. INTERVENTIONS Randomised 1:1:1:1, stratified by country, sex, and anti-citrullinated protein antibody status. All participants started methotrexate combined with (a) active conventional treatment (either prednisolone tapered to 5 mg/day, or sulfasalazine combined with hydroxychloroquine and intraarticular corticosteroids), (b) certolizumab pegol, (c) abatacept, or (d) tocilizumab. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome was adjusted clinical disease activity index remission (CDAI <= 2.8) at 24 weeks with active conventional treatment as the reference. Key secondary outcomes and analyses included CDAI remission at 12 weeks and over time, other remission criteria, a non-inferiority analysis, and harms. RESULTS 812 patients underwent randomisation. The mean age was 54.3 years (standard deviation 14.7) and 68.8% were women. Baseline disease activity score of 28 joints was 5.0 (standard deviation 1.1). Adjusted 24 week CDAI remission rates were 42.7% (95% confidence interval 36.1% to 49.3%) for active conventional treatment, 46.5% (39.9% to 53.1%) for certolizumab pegol, 52.0% (45.5% to 58.6%) for abatacept, and 42.1% (35.3% to 48.8%) for tocilizumab. Corresponding absolute differences were 3.9% (95% confidence interval -5.5% to 13.2%) for certolizumab pegol, 9.4% (0.1% to 18.7%) for abatacept, and -0.6% (-10.1% to 8.9%) for tocilizumab. Key secondary outcomes showed no major differences among the four treatments. Differences in CDAI remission rates for active conventional treatment versus certolizumab pegol and tocilizumab, but not abatacept, remained within the prespecified non-inferiority margin of 15% (per protocol population). The total number of serious adverse events was 13 (percentage of patients who experienced at least one event 5.6%) for active conventional treatment, 20 (8.4%) for certolizumab pegol, 10 (4.9%) for abatacept, and 10 (4.9%) for tocilizumab. Eleven patients treated with abatacept stopped treatment early compared with 20-23 patients in the other arms. CONCLUSIONS All four treatments achieved high remission rates. Higher CDAI remission rate was observed for abatacept versus active conventional treatment, but not for certolizumab pegol or tocilizumab versus active conventional treatment. Other remission rates were similar across treatments. Non-inferiority analysis indicated that active conventional treatment was non-inferior to certolizumab pegol and tocilizumab, but not to abatacept. The results highlight the efficacy and safety of active conventional treatment based on methotrexate combined with corticosteroids, with nominally better results for abatacept, in treatment naive early rheumatoid arthritis.
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- Chatzidionysiou, K., et al.
(author)
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Effectiveness of a Second Biologic After Failure of a Non-tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitor As First Biologic in Rheumatoid Arthritis
- 2021
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In: Journal of Rheumatology. - : The Journal of Rheumatology. - 0315-162X .- 1499-2752. ; 48:10, s. 1512-1518
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective. In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), evidence regarding the effectiveness of a second biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (bDMARD) in patients whose first-ever bDMARD was a non-tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) bDMARD is limited. The objective of this study was therefore to assess the outcome of a second bDMARD (non-TNFi: rituximab [RTX], abatacept [ABA], or tocilizumab [TCZ], separately; and TNFi) after failure of a non-TNFi bDMARD as first bDMARD. Methods. We identified patients with RA from the 5 Nordic biologics registers who started treatment with a non-TNFi as first-ever bDMARD but switched to a second bDMARD. For the second bDMARD, we assessed drug survival (at 6 and 12 months) and primary response (at 6 months). Results. We included 620 patients starting a second bDMARD (ABA 86, RTX 40, TCZ 67, and TNFi 427) following failure of a first non-TNFi bDMARD. At 6 and 12 months after start of their second bDMARD, approximately 70% and 60%, respectively, remained on treatment, and at 6 months, less than one-third of patients were still on their second bDMARD and had reached low disease activity or remission according to the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints. For those patients whose second bMDARD was a TNFi, the corresponding proportion was slightly higher (40%). Conclusion. The drug survival and primary response of a second bDMARD in patients with RA switching due to failure of a non-TNFi bDMARD as first bDMARD is modest. Some patients may benefit from TNFi when used after failure of a non-TNFi as first bDMARD.
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- de Rooy, D. P. C., et al.
(author)
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Smoking as a risk factor for the radiological severity of rheumatoid arthritis: a study on six cohorts
- 2014
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In: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. - : BMJ. - 1468-2060 .- 0003-4967. ; 73:7, s. 1384-1387
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background Smoking is a risk factor for the development of anti -citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) positive rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Whether smoking predisposes to severe joint damage progression is not known, since deleterious, protective and neutral observations have been made. Objective To determine the effect of smoking on joint damage progression. Methods Smoking status was assessed in 3158 RA patients included in six cohorts (Leiden Early Arthritis Clinic (Leiden-EAC), BARFOT, Lund, Iceland, NDB and Wichita). In total 9412 radiographs were assessed. Multivariate normal regression and linear regression analyses were performed. Data were summarised in a random effects inverse variance meta-analysis. Results When comparing radiological progression for RA patients that were never, past and current smokers, smoking was significantly associated with more severe joint damage in Leiden-EAC (p=0.042) and BARFOT (p=0.015) RA patients. No significant associations were found in the other cohorts, though a meta-analysis on the six cohorts showed significantly more severe joint damage progression in smokers (p=0.01). Since smoking predisposes to ACPA, analyses were repeated with ACPA as additional adjustment factor. Then the association was lost (meta-analysis p=0.29). Conclusions This multi-cohort study indicated that the effect of smoking on joint damage is mediated via ACPA and that smoking is not an independent risk factor for radiological progression in RA.
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- Delcoigne, B, et al.
(author)
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EXPOSURE TO SPECIFIC TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR INHIBITORS AND RISK OF DEMYELINATING AND INFLAMMATORY NEUROPATHY IN PATIENTS WITH INFLAMMATORY ARTHRITIS. A COLLABORATIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY ACROSS FIVE NORDIC RHEUMATOLOGY REGISTERS
- 2022
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In: ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES. - : BMJ. - 0003-4967 .- 1468-2060. ; 81, s. 41-41
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Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Though rare, studies have reported increased risk of neurological events including demyelinating disease of CNS (DML), multiple sclerosis (MS), and inflammatory neuropathy (INP) in patients with inflammatory joint disease treated with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi).1,2 More in-depth investigations are required to elucidate the association between TNFi and neurological events in these patients, especially whether rates differ across type of TNFi mode of action.ObjectivesTo estimate the incidence of neurological events in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondyloarthritis (SpA, including axial spondyloarthritis and psoriatic arthritis) starting treatment with TNFi across five Nordic countries. To compare the incidence of neurological events in etanercept (ETN)-treated patients to patients treated with other TNFi (oTNFi).MethodsWe defined treatment cohorts of patients initiating TNFi between 2001 through 2018 from clinical rheumatology registers in Denmark (DK), Finland (FI), Iceland (IS), Norway (NO), and Sweden (SE). One patient could contribute to more than one treatment episode. Demographic data (sex, age), co-medication (methotrexate) and clinical variables (CRP, disease duration (<1 year, 1 to 5 years, >5 years) were extracted and used as covariates. We estimated crude incidence rates (IR) for neurological events and subtypes (ICD-10 codes: MS: G35, DML: G35, G36.0, G36.8-9, G37.1, G37.3, G37.5, G37.8-9, H46, H48.1, G04.8-9, INP: G61.0, G61.8-9), all countries pooled. We compared risk of neurological events between patients treated with ETN and oTNFi using Cox regression with time since treatment start, adjusted for the above covariates, robust standard errors, and stratified by country.ResultsWe included 52,682 treatment starts, in 33,885 RA patients (DK 8,259, FI 3,765, IS 723, NO 1353, SE 19,785; 75% women, mean age 56 years) and 46,549 treatment starts in 28,772 SpA patients (DK 7,000, FI 2,885, IS 962, NO 2,684, SE 15,241; 47% women, mean age 45 years).Numbers of DML, MS, INP and all neurological events, person-years (pyrs), and IRs in RA and SpA patients, for the two treatment groups are displayed in Figure 1. IRs for these neurological events showed some variation by diagnosis (RA vs. SpA), with rates of DML (and MS) in SpA patients around two (and three, respectively) times higher than the corresponding rates in RA (p<0.01), but similar rates for INP in RA and SpA patients. Comparing oTNFi to ETN, all Cox regression hazard ratios (HR) were statistically non-significant and close to one, whatever the outcome and the group of patients (Figure 1), with the adjusted HR (95%CI) for developing any neurological event in oTNFi compared to ETN being 1.08 (0.91-1.28) in RA patients and 0.96 (0.78-1.19) in SpA patients.Figure 1.Number of events, pyrs and IRs of DML, MS, INP and all neurological events (NE) in RA and SpA patients, treated with ETN or oTNFi. HRs (95%CI) comparing oTNFi to ETN.ConclusionThe incidences of DML and MS were lower in RA compared to SpA patients, while rates of INP were similar in both patients’ groups. There was no evidence of differences in these rates between ETN and oTNFi. The findings are of importance from a safety perspective for patients starting TNFi.References[1]Kopp T ARD 2020;79(5):566[2]Kunchok A JAMA Neurol 2020;77(8):937AcknowledgementsNordForsk and Foreum partially funded this research project.Disclosure of InterestsBénédicte Delcoigne: None declared, Tine Iskov Kopp Paid instructor for: T. I. Kopp has served on scientific advisory board from Novartis, Consultant of: T. I. Kopp has received support to congress participation from Biogen, Grant/research support from: T. I. Kopp has received support to congress participation from Biogen, Elizabeth Arkema: None declared, Karin Hellgren: None declared, Sella Aarrestad Provan: None declared, Heikki Relas Paid instructor for: Abbvie, Pfizer, Kalle Aaltonen: None declared, Nina Trokovic: None declared, Björn Gudbjornsson Speakers bureau: Novartis _ not related to this work, Consultant of: Novartis _ not related to this work, Gerdur Gröndal: None declared, Eirik kristianslund: None declared, Lene Dreyer Speakers bureau: Speakers bureau: Eli Lilly, Galderma and Janssen, Grant/research support from: Grant from BMS outside the present work, Johan Askling Grant/research support from: AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Merck, Pfizer, Roche, Samsung Bioepis, Sanofi, and UCB.
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- Delcoigne, B, et al.
(author)
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Exposure to specific tumour necrosis factor inhibitors and risk of demyelinating and inflammatory neuropathy in cohorts of patients with inflammatory arthritis: a collaborative observational study across five Nordic rheumatology registers
- 2023
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In: RMD open. - : BMJ. - 2056-5933. ; 9:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- To compare incidences of neuroinflammatory events, including demyelinating disease (DML), inflammatory polyneuropathies (IPN) and multiple sclerosis (MS), in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or spondyloarthritis (SpA; including psoriatic arthritis) starting a tumour necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi), investigating whether monoclonal TNFi antibodies (other TNFis (oTNFis)) confer higher risk than etanercept.MethodsThis is an observational cohort study including patients from the five Nordic countries starting a TNFi in 2001–2020. Time to first neuroinflammatory event was identified through register linkages. We calculated crude incidence rates (cIR) per 1000 person-years and used multivariable-adjusted Cox regression to compare incidences of neuroinflammatory events overall and for DML, IPN and MS with oTNFi versus etanercept. We further examined individual TNFis and indications.Results33 883 patients with RA and 28 772 patients with SpA were included, initiating 52 704 and 46 572 treatment courses, respectively. In RA, we observed 135 neuroinflammatory events (65% DML) with cIR of 0.38 with oTNFi and 0.34 with etanercept. The HR of oTNFi versus etanercept was 1.07 (95% CI 0.74 to 1.54) for any neuroinflammatory event, 0.79 (95% CI 0.51 to 1.22) for DML, 2.20 (95% CI 1.05 to 4.63) for IPN and 0.73 (95% CI 0.34 to 1.56) for MS. In SpA, we observed 179 events (78% DML) with cIR of 0.68 with oTNFi and 0.65 with etanercept. The HR for any neuroinflammatory event, DML, IPN and MS was 1.06 (95% CI 0.75 to 1.50), 1.01 (95% CI 0.68 to 1.50), 1.28 (95% CI 0.61 to 2.69) and 0.94 (95% CI0.53 to 1.69), respectively.ConclusionThe cIRs of neuroinflammatory events are higher in SpA than in RA, but the choice of specific TNFi does not seem to play an important role in the risk of neuroinflammatory events.
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- Dijkshoorn, B, et al.
(author)
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PROFOUND ANTICOAGULANT EFFECTS OF INITIAL ANTIRHEUMATIC TREATMENTS IN EARLY RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENTS: A NORD-STAR SPIN-OFF STUDY
- 2022
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In: ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES. - : BMJ. - 0003-4967 .- 1468-2060. ; 81, s. 40-41
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Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at an increased risk of venous thromboembolism. Thus far, there have not been any comparative studies investigating the effects of initial antirheumatic treatments in (very) early RA patients.ObjectivesTo assess the effects of different initial treatments on hemostatic parameters in patients with early RA.MethodsNORD-STAR is an international, multicentre, open-label, assessor-blinded, phase 4 study where patients with newly diagnosed RA started methotrexate (MTX) and were randomised 1:1:1:1 to a) conventional treatment (either prednisolone tapered to 5mg/day, or sulfasalazine combined with hydroxychloroquine and intra-articular corticosteroids), b) certolizumab pegol, c) abatacept, d) tocilizumab1. This study is a spin-off from the main NORD-STAR study extensively investigating hemostatic system in 24 per protocol consecutive Dutch participants at baseline, 12 weeks and 24 weeks after the start of the treatment. Statistical analysis was done using paired samples t-test in SPSS version 28.ResultsThe mean age of investigated patients was 51.8 (± 12.7) years and 58.3% were female. At baseline patients had an average DAS28 score of 4.6 (± 0.9) and had elevated levels of investigated coagulation biomarkers: Factor 1 + 2, fibrinogen, D-dimer and parameters of the two global hemostatic assays, i.e. endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) and overall hemostasis potential (OHP). These biomarkers decreased significantly at 12 and 24 weeks in patients in all groups (Table 1). Overall fibrinolytic potential (OFP) was decreased and clot lysis time (CLT) was prolonged at baseline, demonstrating impaired fibrinolytic activity in early RA. The reduction of coagulation parameters was significantly higher in biological treatment arms in comparison to the standard MTX treatment arm. In addition, tocilizumab was more effective compared to certolizumab and abatacept, (Figure 1), which was expected considering the direct inhibitory effect of this drug on the IL-6 synthesis and consequently the coagulation activation as well. After 24 weeks of treatment with methotrexate and tocilizumab, the average fibrinogen of patients was reduced by 63% vs 31% and 36% in the certolizumab and abatacept groups, respectively. The changes in DAS-28 and the changes in fibrinogen had a correlation of 0.385 which did not reach statistical significance.Table 1.Measurements are marked with * if p<0.05, ** if p<0.01 and *** if p<0.001BaselineW12W24Factor 1 + 2 (pmol/L)270.25 (149.4)190.36 (108.6)**179.52 (85.3)***Fibrinogen (g/L)4.64 (1.5)3.61 (1.6)**2.63 (1.2)***D-dimer (mg/L)2.17 (3.0)0.33 (0.23)**0.29 (0.2)**OHP (Abs-sum)157.38 (64.9)120.62 (68.7)*100.49 (53.8)***OCP (Abs-sum)369.52 (58.8)305.04 (101.7)*275.91 (83.1)***OFP (%)57.97 (13.1)63.20 (12.7)*65.25 (11.4)***Lag time (s)304.5 (71.1)306.8 (71.8)312.7 (65.4)Slope0.07 (0.02)0.066 (0.03)0.094 (0.12)Max Abs1.17 (0.3)1.00 (0.4)*0.91 (0.3)**CLT (s)1405 (356)1317 (377)1231 (320)**ETP (nM*min)1480 (471)1395 (395)*1337 (429)*Peak (nM)231 (78)223 (68)223 (74)Lagtime (min)4.06 (2.1)3.28 (1.2)**2.87 (1.0)***ttPeak (min)7.40 (2.2)6.61 (1.5)*6.13 (1.4)**Figure 1.ConclusionOur results indicate an enhanced coagulation and fibrinolytic impairment in newly diagnosed RA patients. Effective antirheumatic treatments reduce this hemostatic imbalance, with significantly more pronounced effects of biologic drugs compared to conventional (MTX+glucocorticoids) treatment.References[1]Hetland M et al. BMJ. 2020Disclosure of InterestsBas Dijkshoorn: None declared, Aleksandra Antovic: None declared, Daisy Vedder: None declared, Anna Rudin: None declared, Dan Nordström Speakers bureau: Novartis, UCB, Consultant of: Abbvie, BMS, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, UCB, Björn Gudbjornsson Speakers bureau: Amgen and Novartis - not related to this work, Consultant of: Novartis - not related to this work, Kristina Lend: None declared, Till Uhlig Speakers bureau: Grünenthal, Novartis, Consultant of: Grünenthal, Novartis, Grant/research support from: NORDFORSK, Espen A Haavardsholm Consultant of: Pfizer, AbbVie, Celgene, Novartis, Janssen, Gilead, Eli-Lilly, UCB, Grant/research support from: NORDFORSK, Norwegian Regional Health Authorities, South-Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority, Gerdur Gröndal: None declared, Merete Lund Hetland Consultant of: Abbvie, Biogen, BMS, Celltrion, Eli Lilly, Janssen Biologics B.V, Lundbeck Fonden, MSD, Pfizer, Roche, Samsung Biopies, Sandoz, Novartis, Grant/research support from: Abbvie, Biogen, BMS, Celltrion, Eli Lilly, Janssen Biologics B.V, Lundbeck Fonden, MSD, Pfizer, Roche, Samsung Biopies, Sandoz, Novartis, Marte Heiberg: None declared, Mikkel Østergaard Speakers bureau: Abbvie, BMS, Celgene, Eli-Lilly, Galapagos, Gilead, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Orion, Pfizer, Roche and UCB, Consultant of: Abbvie, BMS, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Celgene, Eli-Lilly, Hospira, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Novo, Orion, Pfizer, Regeneron, Roche, Sandoz, Sanofi and UCB, Grant/research support from: Abbvie, Amgen, BMS, Merck, Celgene and Novartis, Kim Hørslev-Petersen: None declared, Jon Lampa Speakers bureau: Pfizer, Janssen, Novartis, Ronald van Vollenhoven Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Galapagos, GSK, Janssen, Pfizer, R-Pharma, UCB, Consultant of: Abbvie, AstraZeneca, Biogen, BMS, Galapagos, Janssen, Miltenyi, Pifzer, UCB, Grant/research support from: BMS, GSK, UCB, Michael Nurmohamed Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Janssen, Celgene, Consultant of: Abbvie, Grant/research support from: Abbvie, Amgen, Pfizer, Galapagos, BMS.
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- Glinatsi, D., et al.
(author)
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Head-to-head comparison of aggressive conventional therapy and three biological treatments and comparison of two de-escalation strategies in patients who respond to treatment: Study protocol for a multicenter, randomized, open-label, blinded-assessor, phase 4 study
- 2017
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In: Trials. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1745-6215. ; 18:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: New targeted therapies and improved treatment strategies have dramatically improved the outcomes of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, it is unknown whether different early aggressive interventions can induce stable remission or a low-active disease state that can be maintained with conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (csDMARD) therapy, and whether they differ in efficacy and safety. The Nordic Rheumatic Diseases Strategy Trials And Registries (NORD-STAR) study will assess and compare (1) the proportion of patients who achieve remission in a head-to-head comparison between csDMARD plus glucocorticoid therapy and three different biological DMARD (bDMARD) therapies with different modes of action and (2) two de-escalation strategies in patients who respond to first-line therapy. Methods/design: In a pragmatic, 80-160-week, multicenter, randomized, open-label, assessor-blinded, phase 4 study, 800 patients with early RA (symptom duration less than 24 months) are randomized 1:1:1:1 to one of four different treatment arms: (1) aggressive csDMARD therapy with methotrexate + sulphasalazine + hydroxychloroquine + i.a. glucocorticoids (arm 1A) or methotrexate + prednisolone p.o. (arm 1B), (2) methotrexate + certolizumab-pegol, (3) methotrexate + abatacept, or (4) methotrexate + tocilizumab. The primary clinical endpoint is the proportion of patients reaching Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) remission at week 24. Patients in stable remission over 24 consecutive weeks enter part 2 of the study earliest after 48 weeks. Patients not achieving sustained CDAI remission over 24 consecutive weeks, exit the study after 80 weeks. In part 2, patients are re-randomized to two different de-escalation strategies, either immediate or delayed (after 24 weeks) tapering, followed by cessation of study medication. All patients remain on stable doses of methotrexate. The primary clinical endpoint in part 2 is the proportion of patients in remission (CDAI ≤2.8) 24 weeks after initiating treatment de-escalation. Radiographic assessment will be performed regularly throughout the trial, and blood and urine samples will be stored in a biobank for later biomarker analyses. Discussion: NORD-STAR is the first investigator-initiated, randomized, early RA trial to compare (1) csDMARD and three different bDMARD therapies head to head and (2) two different de-escalation strategies. The trial has the potential to identify which treatment strategy to apply in early RA to achieve the best possible outcomes for both patients and society. Trial registration:NCT01491815and NCT02466581. Registered on 8 December 2011 and May 2015, respectively. EudraCT: 2011-004720-35 © 2017 The Author(s).
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- Glintborg, B., et al.
(author)
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Biological treatment in ankylosing spondylitis in the Nordic countries during 2010-2016: a collaboration between five biological registries
- 2018
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0300-9742 .- 1502-7732. ; 47:6, s. 465-474
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: Large-scale observational cohorts may be used to study the effectiveness and rare side effects of biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) in ankylosing spondylitis (AS), but may be hampered by differences in baseline characteristics and disease activity across countries. We aimed to explore the research infrastructure in the five Nordic countries regarding bDMARD treatment in AS. Method: This observational cohort study was based on data from biological registries in Denmark (DANBIO), Sweden (SRQ/ARTIS), Finland (ROB-FIN), Norway (NOR-DMARD), and Iceland (ICEBIO). Data were collected for the years 2010-2016. Registry coverage, registry inventory (patient characteristics, disease activity measures), and national guidelines for bDMARD prescription in AS were described per country. Incident (first line) and prevalent bDMARD use per capita, country, and year were calculated. In AS patients who started first line bDMARDs during 2010-2016 (n = 4392), baseline characteristics and disease activity measures were retrieved. Results: Registry coverage of bDMARD-treated patients ranged from 60% to 95%. All registries included extensive prospectively collected data at patient level. Guidelines regarding choice of first line drug and prescription patterns varied across countries. During the period 2010-2016 prevalent bDMARD use increased (p < 0.001), whereas incident use tended to decrease (p for trend < 0.004), with large national variations (e.g. 2016 incidence: Iceland 10.7/100 000, Finland 1.7/100 000). Baseline characteristics were similar regarding C-reactive protein, but differed for other variables, including the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) (range 3.5-6.3) and Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) (2.7-3.8) (both p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Collaboration across the five Nordic biological registries regarding bDMARD use in AS is feasible but national differences in coverage, prescription patterns, and patient characteristics must be taken into account depending on the scientific question.
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- Glintborg, B., et al.
(author)
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Uptake and effectiveness of newer biologic and targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in psoriatic arthritis: results from five Nordic biologics registries
- 2023
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In: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. - : BMJ. - 0003-4967 .- 1468-2060. ; 82:6, s. 820-828
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BackgroundWe aimed to describe the uptake of newer biologic or targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (b/tsDMARDs) in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in the Nordic countries and to compare their retention and effectiveness. MethodsPatients with PsA starting a b/tsDMARD in 2012-2020 in five Nordic rheumatology registers were included. Uptake and patient characteristics were described, with comorbidities identified from linkages to national patient registries. One-year retention and 6-month effectiveness (proportions achieving low disease activity (LDA) on the Disease Activity Index for PSoriatic Arthritis based on 28-joint evaluation) for the newer b/tsDMARDs (abatacept/apremilast/ixekizumab/secukinumab/tofacitinib/ustekinumab) were compared with adalimumab through adjusted regression models stratified by treatment course (first, second/third, and fourth or more). ResultsIn total, 5659 treatment courses with adalimumab (56% biologic-naive) and 4767 courses with a newer b/tsDMARD (21% biologic-naive) were included. The uptake of newer b/tsDMARDs increased from 2014 and plateaued in 2018. Patient characteristics appeared similar across treatments at treatment start. Adalimumab was more often used as the first course and newer b/tsDMARDs more often in biologic-experienced patients. Used as a second/third b/tsDMARD, the retention rate and the proportion achieving LDA were significantly better for adalimumab (rate 65%, proportion 59%) compared with abatacept (45%, 37%), apremilast (43%, 35%), ixekizumab (LDA only, 40%) and ustekinumab (LDA only, 40%), but not significantly different from other b/tsDMARDs. ConclusionUptake of newer b/tsDMARDs occurred mainly in biologic-experienced patients. Regardless of mode of action, only a minority of patients starting a second or later b/tsDMARD course remained on drug and achieved LDA. Superior outcomes for adalimumab indicate that the positioning of newer b/tsDMARDs in the PsA treatment algorithm remains to be established.
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- Glintborg, B, et al.
(author)
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UPTAKE OF NEWER BIOLOGIC AND TARGETED SYNTHETIC DMARDS IN PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS, RESULTS FROM FOUR NORDIC BIOLOGIC REGISTRIES
- 2022
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In: ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES. - : BMJ. - 0003-4967 .- 1468-2060. ; 81, s. 766-767
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Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The treatment landscape in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is changing, including newer biologic and targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (b/tsDMARDs) with different modes of action becoming available. However, the most effective treatment strategy in routine care remains to be established.ObjectivesTo explore the uptake and treatment patterns of newer b/tsDMARDs, namely JAK-inhibitors (JAKi; baricitinib, tofacitinib, upadacitinib), IL-17-inhibitors (ixekizumab, secukinumab), abatacept, apremilast, and ustekinumab in PsA patients from the Nordic countries. Furthermore, to describe patient characteristics and extra-musculoskeletal manifestations at treatment start (=baseline).MethodsObservational cohort study, using prospectively collected routine care data from 4 Nordic rheumatology registries. Treatments (newer b/tsDMARDs with tumor-necrosis-factor inhibitors (TNFi) as the reference) initiated from January 2009 until December 2020 and corresponding baseline patient characteristics were identified. Linkage to national patient registries was used to identify previous extra-musculoskeletal manifestations (0-5 years). Country-level data were pooled for analyses. Uptake of each drug was explored as the cumulative number of treatment starts (a) overall, irrespective of previous b/tsDMARD experience, and (b) in b/tsDMARD-naïve patients. Each patient could contribute >1 treatment course.ResultsOverall, 13,364 unique patients contributing 24,325 treatment courses with either a newer b/tsDMARD (4,855, 20%) or a TNFi (19,470, 80%, whereof 10,897 were started year 2015-20) were identified. For the sub-group of 11,892 first b/tsDMARD treatment courses, 1,009 (8%) were a newer b/tsDMARD (10,883 were a TNFi, whereof 5,956 were started year 2015-20).Secukinumab dominated the newer b/tsDMARD uptake (1,848 new-starts, Figure 1). Ustekinumab-uptake increased over time both overall and in b/tsDMARD-naïve patients. In b/tsDMARD-naïve patients, apremilast had the fastest uptake (490 new-starts) (Figure 1). Use of JAKi was limited, especially in b/tsDMARD-naïve patients.Figure 1.Patients starting a newer b/tsDMARD tended to have longer disease duration and slightly higher disease activity at baseline (DAS28, patient-reported outcomes) than TNFi initiators (Table 1). Previous extra-musculoskeletal manifestations (uveitis, IBD) were rare, and with similar distributions across treatments (Table 1).Table 1.Baseline characteristics upon treatment startAbata-ceptApre-milastBari-citinibIxe-kizumabSecuki-numabTofa-citinibUpada-citinibUste-kinumabAny TNFiCumulative uptake, n3629351063421848494669119470Male gender, %334227384033333744Age54 (12)53 (12)55 (13)52 (13)51 (13)54 (13)52 (10)50 (12)49 (13)b/tsDMARD treatment number, %1952911149020562191512262518171925≥3723378746173836219Disease duration, yrs9 (8)8 (8)10 (8)10 (8)9 (9)11 (10)8 (8)8 (9)7 (8)Pain, VAS (0-100)63 (21)61 (23)64 (23)64 (25)63 (24)66 (23)75 (17)64 (23)59 (24)DAS284.73 (1.34)4.04 (1.35)3.95 (1.36)4.24 (1.19)4.13 (1.36)4.49 (1.33)4.74 (0.88)4.19 (1.32)4.07 (1.29)Uveitis, %*323123022IBD, %*113111-31Numbers are mean (SD) unless otherwise statedIBD: inflammatory bowel disease, bDMARD: biologic DMARD, ts: targeted synthetic*0-5 years previously, available all study period for Iceland, Sweden, Finland until 31Dec2018, not available for DenmarkConclusionIn this cross-country collaboration we were able to explore uptake of newer b/tsDMARDs. TNFi still dominates compared to newer b/tsDMARDs in routine care treatment of PsA. Newer b/tsDMARDs are mainly used in patients with several previous treatment failures, i.e. with longer disease duration and higher disease activity, indicating difficult to treat disease. Further studies are planned to explore real-world treatment patterns and outcomes.AcknowledgementsBG and DdiG contributed equally.Partly funded by NordForsk and Foreum grants. On behalf of the Danish DANBIO, Swedish SRQ, Norwegian NOR-DMARD, Finnish ROB-FIN and Icelandic ICEBIO registriesDisclosure of InterestsBente Glintborg Grant/research support from: Pfizer, AbbVie, BMS, Daniela Di Giuseppe: None declared, Johan K Wallman Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Dan Nordström: None declared, Björn Gudbjornsson Speakers bureau: Novartis and Amgen, Merete Lund Hetland Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Biogen, BMS, Celltrion, Eli Lilly Denmark A/S, Janssen Biologics B.V, Lundbeck Fonden, MSD, Pfizer, Roche, Samsung Biopis, Sandoz, Novartis., Johan Askling Grant/research support from: Abbvie, Astra-Zeneca, BMS, Eli Lilly, MSD, Pfizer, Roche, Samsung Bioepis, Sanofi, and UCB., Gerdur Gröndal: None declared, Tuulikki Sokka-Isler Grant/research support from: Abbvie, Amgen, BMS, Celgene, Eli Lilly, GSK, Medac, MSD, Novartis, Orion Pharma, Pfizer, Roche, Sandoz, UCB, Sella Aarrestad Provan: None declared, Ulf Lindström: None declared
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- Grondal, G, et al.
(author)
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Increased T-lymphocyte apoptosis/necrosis and IL-10 producing cells in patients and their spouses in Icelandic systemic lupus erythematosus multicase families
- 2002
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In: Lupus. - : SAGE Publications. - 0961-2033 .- 1477-0962. ; 11:7, s. 435-442
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The objective of this study was to evaluate apoptosis and production of IL-10 in SLE patients, their spouses and first-degree relatives in Icelandic SLE multicase families. Previously, increased IL-10 production has been found in all three groups. As IL-10 has been found to induce apoptosis in SLE, the percentage of lymphocytes undergoing apoptosis was evaluated, as well as the possible correlation between apoptosis and IL-10 production. Apoptosis and IL-10 production were studied in SLE patients (n = 12) from SLE multicase families and their spouses (n = 12) and a matched control group of healthy individuals(n = 10). The proportion of T and B lymphocytes undergoing apoptosis at 0, 24, 48 and 72 h was detected by flow cytometry using Annexin V and PI staining and the rate of apoptosis was calculated. IL-10 production was studied simultaneously by ELISpot analysis of freshly isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In addition, T lymphocyte apoptosis at t = 0 was investigated in a group of non-household first-degree relatives (n = 10) and controls (n = 10). Antinuclear and antilymphocyte antibodies were analysed in all the groups. The SLE patients as a group had a significantly increased percentage of T lymphocytes in apoptosis at 0 and 48 h and a significantly higher number of IL-10 producing cells as compared with the healthy controls (P = 0.03, 0.02 and 0.03, respectively). The spouses also had significantly increased percentage of T lymphocytes in apoptosis (t = 0) and a significantly higher number of IL-10-producing cells when compared with healthy controls (P = 0.01 and 0.02, respectively). There were no significant differences between the patients and their spouses. For apoptosis of B lymphocytes no difference was found between the groups. The SLE patients as a group had the highest rate of apoptosis. No correlation between the degree and rate of apoptosis and the number of IL-10-producing cells was detected. The first-degree relatives did not have increased percentage of T lymphocytes undergoing apoptosis at t = 0 compared with healthy controls. The SLE patients had higher titres of ANA compared with the other groups. No correlation was detected between the ANA titre and the percentage of lymphocytes undergoing apoptosis. There was no correlation between disease activity as measured by SLEDAI and apoptosis. In conclusion, our results suggest that environmental factors common to both SLE patients and their spouses are associated both with the increased apoptosis and increased spontaneousproduction of IL-10, thus providing support for the notion that both environmental and genetic factors influencing apoptosis are of importance for the development of SLE.
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- Johanneson, B, et al.
(author)
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A comparison of genome-scans performed in multicase families with systemic lupus erythematosus from different population groups
- 1999
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In: Journal of Autoimmunity. - : Elsevier BV. - 0896-8411. ; 13, s. 137-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Systemic lupus erythematosus is a disease of unknown etiology. Multiple genetic factors are believed to be involved in its pathogenesis. In addition, and due to genetic heterogeneity, these factors and/or their combinations may be different in different ethnic groups, while some might be shared between populations. We have performed genome scans in multicase families from three different population groups, two from Northern Europe, with a high degree of homogeneity, and the third from a recently admixed population of Mexican Mestizos. Although our family material is relatively small, the results presented here show that using family sets from well defined populations are sufficient to detect susceptibility loci for SLE. Our results also reveal the chromosomal regions most likely to contain susceptibility genes for SLE.
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- Lend, K., et al.
(author)
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Sex differences in remission rates over 24 weeks among three different biological treatments compared to conventional therapy in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (NORD-STAR): a post-hoc analysis of a randomised controlled trial
- 2023
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In: The Lancet Rheumatology. - 2665-9913. ; 4:10
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease with a well-recognised female preponderance. In this post-hoc analysis of the NORD-STAR trial, we aimed to examine sex differences in remission rates with three different biological treatments combined with methotrexate versus active conventional treatment over 24 weeks, in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: NORD-STAR was a multicentre, investigator-initiated, assessor-blinded, phase 4, randomised, controlled trial of early rheumatoid arthritis, done in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and the Netherlands. Newly diagnosed patients, naive to disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, aged 18 years or older with early rheumatoid arthritis and with a symptom duration less than 24 months were randomly assigned (1:1:1:1) to receive active conventional treatment, certolizumab-pegol, abatacept, or tocilizumab. Sex was reported in case report forms by study physicians or by study nurses. Data on gender were not collected. Remission outcomes were analysed with logistic generalised estimating equations (GEE), using a logit link and exchangeable correlation matrix. The model included treatment, time, sex, and the relevant interactions. For this post-hoc analysis, the co-primary outcomes were differences in Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) remission (CDAI score ≤2·8) between sexes over time and at week 24, assessed with interaction terms (men vs women within each treatment comparison) and using active conventional treatment as the reference. We present adjusted average marginal differences in remission rates (risk differences) with 95% CIs. Findings: Between Dec 14, 2012, and Dec 11, 2018, 812 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned; 217 received active conventional treatment, 203 received certolizumab-pegol, 204 received abatacept, and 188 received tocilizumab. All 812 patients were included in this analysis; 561 (69%) were women and 251 (31%) were men. Observed CDAI remission rates at 24 weeks were numerically higher among men than among women despite comparable disease activity at baseline (55% vs 50% with active conventional treatment, 57% vs 52% with certolizumab-pegol, 65% vs 51% with abatacept, and 61% vs 40% with tocilizumab). In the adjusted analysis, with active conventional treatment as the reference, the only significant difference between men and women was in the tocilizumab group (pinteraction=0·015); men in the tocilizumab group had a higher probability of CDAI remission, on average over time, than did men in the active conventional treatment group (0·12; 95% CI 0·00 to 0·23), whereas women in the tocilizumab group had a lower probability of remission than did women in the active conventional treatment group (–0·05, 95% CI –0·13 to 0·02). Interpretation: Numerically higher remission rates were observed in men than in women in all four treatment groups at week 24, suggesting that this generalised sex difference is not related to the treatment. The difference between men and women was significantly greater with tocilizumab, an interleukin (IL)-6 inhibitor, than with active conventional treatment, suggesting a possible additional sex-based effect specific for IL-6 blockade. Funding: None. © 2022 Elsevier Ltd
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