Abstract
Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of switching to CZP for patients with remaining multiple swollen joints despite serologic inflammation being improved after treatment with biologic DMARDs.
Methods: We studied 11 patients with multiple swollen joints (number of swollen joints ≧2) and whose serum CRP level < 1 mg/dl after treatment with other biologic DMARDs. Assessment of disease activity were evaluated using DAS28 (ESR), DAS28 (CRP), SDAI, and the number of swollen and tender joints.
Results: Moderate or better improvement by EULAR response criteria were observed in 73% of cases. Although there was trend toward lower scores of DAS28 (ESR), DAS28 (CRP), and SDAI at 12 weeks after switching compared with those at baseline, these differences did not reach statistical significance. The number of swollen and tender joints decreased in 80% and 64% of all the patients. However, there was a statistically significant difference only in the numbers of swollen joints.
Conclusion: Switching to CZP may be effective in patients with multiple swollen joint even though serological inflammation was low after treatment with biologic DMARDs.
