The effectiveness of infliximab on quality of life in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

Abstract

Background. In 2003, treatment with TNF blockade was introduced for the management of RA in Japan. Emerging evidence indicates that TNF blockade with infliximab is especially effective in reducing the clinical signs and symptoms of RA.As the secondary outcome, the effect of this agent on the health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) is expected.
Objective. To evaluate the effects of infliximab on HR-QOL in Japanese RA patients.
Method. The total of109moderate-to-severe RA patients were entried into this study. These patients injected with infliximab were subjected to be analyzed the modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (mHAQ), including23cases, who were subjected to be analyzed using the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales (AIMS2) and the Short-Form 36items (SF36).
Results. The average mHAQ score was reduced from 1.2 to 0.7 (p＜0.001). In the AIMS2 analysis, the average scores of symptoms (pain), physical disability, and limitation of work were improved (p＜0.05). In SF-36, the average score of role limitations due to emotional functioning improved in accordance with the improvement of physical functions.
Conclusion. We suggested that infliximab improved mental status as well as role limitations due to physical functioning through the reduction of pain.