抄録
Objective: The objective of this retrospective study was to determine the responses to tocilizumab among 34 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Methods: Information from 34 patients with RA who were treated with tocilizumab was analyzed. Disease activity was assessed using disease activity score 28 (DAS28). Treatment responses at week 12 and 24 were assessed using the response criteria of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR).
Results: Thirty-three (97.1%) patients completed 24 weeks of tocilizumab treatment. The mean DAS28-ESR values at weeks 12 and 24 decreased significantly compared to baseline values. The mean (±SD) DAS28-ESR value decreased significantly from 4.90 (±1.65) at baseline to 2.19 (±1.10) at week 24. At week 24, using the EULAR response criteria, good, moderate, and no responses were 63.6%, 30.3%, and 6.1%, respectively. A good or moderate response was achieved in 93.9% of patients. The overall incidence of adverse events (AEs) was 70.6% (serious AEs: 11.7%). All serious AEs improved with adequate treatment.
Conclusions: Tocilizumab was safe, tolerable, and clinically effective after 24 weeks for patients with RA.
