Novel methodology to discern predictors of remission and patterns of disease activity over time using rheumatoid arthritis clinical trials data

Sarah Brockbank, Claudio Carini, Andrew Pope, Michael R. Ehrenstein, Benjamin Fisher, Carl S. Goodyear, Neil Gozzard, Ray Harris, Kirsty Hicks, Sally Hollis, Adwoa Hughes Morley, John D. Isaacs, Blerina Kola, Iain B McInnes, Christopher M. Mela, Gerry Parker, Ayako Wakatsuki Pedersen, Frederique Ponchel, Tony Sabin, David L ScottIan C. Scott, Matthew A. Sleeman, Deborah Symmons, Peter C. Taylor, Brian Tom, Wayne Tsuji, Yujie Zhong

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objectives
To identify predictors of remission and disease activity patterns in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using individual participant data (IPD) from clinical trials. Methods Phase II and III clinical trials completed between 2002 and 2012 were identified by systematic literature review and contact with UK market authorisation holders. Anonymised baseline and follow-up IPD from nonbiological arms were amalgamated. Multiple imputation was used to handle missing outcome and covariate information. Random effects logistic regression was used to identify predictors of remission, measured by the Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28) at 6 months. Novel latent class mixed models characterised DAS28 over time.
Results
IPD of 3290 participants from 18 trials were included. Of these participants, 92% received methotrexate (MTX). Remission rates were estimated at 8.4%(95%CI
7.4%to9.5%) overall, 17%(95%CI 14.8%to19.4%) for MTX-naïve patients with early RA and 3.2% (95% CI 2.4% to 4.3%) for those with prior MTX exposure at entry.
In prior MTX-exposed patients, lower baseline DAS28 and MTX reinitiation were associated with remission. In MTX-naïve patients, being young, white, male, with better functional and mental health, lower baseline DAS28 and receiving concomitant glucocorticoids were associated with remission. Three DAS28 trajectory subpopulations were identified in MTX-naïve and MTX-exposed patients. A number of variables were associated with subpopulation
membership and DAS28 levels within subpopulations.
Conclusions
Predictors of remission differed between MTX-naïve and prior MTX-exposed patients at entry. Latent class mixed models supported differential non-biological therapy response, with three distinct trajectories observed
in both MTX-naïve and MTX-exposed patients. Findings should be useful when designing future RA trials and interpreting results of biomarker studies.
Original languageEnglish
Article numbere000721
Number of pages12
JournalRMD Open
Volume4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 25 Oct 2018

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© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2018

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