Paul SK, et al. – In this current study, the specialists explored the impact of treatment with disease–modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), including IL–6 receptor inhibitor tocilizumab (TCZ), on anaemia markers in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. They found a significant increase in haemoglobin (Hb) and haematocrit (Hct) levels after TCZ therapy in anaemic and non–anaemic patients with rheumatoid arthritis, compared with other biologic and non–biologic DMARDs.

Methods

• The specialists explored the Centricity Electronic Medical Records from USA and identified patients with rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed between January 2000 and April 2016, who initiated TCZ (n=3,732); Tofacitinib (TOFA, n=3,126); other biologic DMARD (obDMARD, n=55,964); or other non–biologic DMARD (onbDMARD, n=91,236).
• Changes in haemoglobin (Hb) and haematocrit (Hct) over 2 years of treatment initiation were evaluated, adjusting and balancing for confounders.

Results

• In TCZ group, mean (95% CI) adjusted increase in Hb and Hct levels at 24 month were 0.23 g/dL (0.14, 0.42) and 0.96% (0.41, 1.52) respectively.
• Among patients with anaemia in the TCZ group, Hb and Hct increased significantly by 0.72 g/dL and 2.06% respectively.
• Patients in the TCZ group were 86% (95% CI of OR: 1.43, 2.00) more likely to increase Hb ≥ 1 g/dL compared to the other groups combined.
• No clinically significant changes in Hb were observed in the other groups.
• The obDMARD group showed lower Hct increase than TCZ group, while no significant changes were observed in remaining groups.
• Compared to those who initiated TCZ therapy after one year of diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, those who initiated earlier were 95% (OR: 1.95; 95% CI: 1.19, 3.21, p<0.001) more likely to increase Hb within 6 month.