Abstract
Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of golimumab (GLM) by examining outcomes for rheumatoid arthritis at multiple facilities.
Subjects and methods: Participants comprised 162 patients with rheumatoid arthritis given GLM at 5 different facilities in Fukuoka from September 2011 to October 2014. Medical records were retrospectively examined and the Disease Activity Score 28 using C-reactive protein values and the Simplified Disease Activity Index were used for efficacy evaluations. Participants were divided into the bio-naïve and switch groups, the 50-mg and 100-mg groups, and the MTX combination and non-combination groups.
Results: The remission rate was significantly higher in the bio-naïve group than in the switch group (p<0.005). Over the long-term, therapeutic effects were significantly greater in the MTX combination group than in the non-combination group (p<0.05). When dosages of GLM were compared, the 50-mg group was found to have improved significantly compared with the 100-mg group (p<0.05). No serious adverse events occurred during the study period.
Conclusions: GLM is just as effective and safe as other biological drugs and is also effective in patients who did not respond to other drugs and patients who could not use concomitant MTX.
