Trial of 24- and 52-Week Efficacy, Safety, and Remission Rate of Etanercept Against Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to confirm the clinical efficacy, safety, and remission rate after 52 weeks of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with etanercept (ETN).
Methods: A total of 78 RA patients were selected retrospectively and evaluated for safety. The clinical responses were evaluated in 64 patients at 24 weeks and 52 weeks of the ETN therapy using the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) response criteria. Clinical remission was defined as Disease Activity Score 28 using erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR) <2.6.
Results: After treatment with ETN, the average DAS28-4ESR scores were 5.59, 4.65, 4.22, 3.91, and 3.64 at 0, 4, 12, 24, and 52 weeks, respectively. As for the EULAR response criteria, 18.8% and 62.6% obtained good and moderate responses at 24 weeks, respectively, and 32.4% and 48.6% obtained good and moderate responses at 52 weeks, respectively. Remission rates obtained in stage I+II/III+IV patients were 54.5% and 11.5%, respectively, and the remission rates in those with disease duration under 2 years and 2 years and greater were 50.0% and 22.9% at 52 weeks, respectively. Significant differences in clinical response were not seen between patients with or without concomitant methotrexate (MTX) as well as between elderly and young patients.
Conclusion: High remission rates were obtained in patients with disease duration of 2 years or less, who also had less joint destruction. Early and aggressive therapy aimed for tight control of the disease is desired.