Efficacy and safety of abatacept in routine care of patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Orencia^® as Biological Intensive Treatment for RA (ORBIT) study

Abstract

Objective. To investigate the efficacy and safety of abatacept for treating patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in routine clinical practice.

Methods. We performed a retrospective study of 137 RA patients who were treated with abatacept for 24 weeks between October 2010 and June 2011 at four rheumatology centers in Japan. Outcomes were compared between biologic-naïve and biologic-experienced patients. Disease activity was assessed using the Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI) and the 28-joint Disease Activity Score based on the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR).

Results. The retention rate of abatacept at 24 weeks was 79.6%. SDAI (from 24.6 ± 12.5 to 12.9 ± 11.6) and DAS28-ESR (from 5.2 ± 1.4 to 3.9 ± 1.4) decreased significantly from baseline to Week 24 (both P < 0.001). Remission/low disease activity were achieved in 2.2%/11.2% (SDAI) and in 5.3%/2.3% (DAS28-ESR). The change in SDAI and the remission/low disease activity rates at Week 24 was greater in biologic-naïve patients than in biologic-experienced patients. Structural remission (van der Heijde-modified total Sharp score ≤ 0.5) was achieved by 63.4% of patients.

Conclusions. The present results confirm that abatacept is effective in routine clinical practice and support its use as the first-line biologic agent in patients.

Keywords:

• Abatacept
• Joint destruction
• Remission
• Retrospective study
• Rheumatoid arthritis

Acknowledgments

The authors thank all medical staff from the four participating institutions for providing data, and Nicholas D. Smith, PhD, for his editorial support.

Conflict of interest

Y. Tanaka has received consulting fees, speaking fees and/or honoraria from Mitsubishi-Tanabe, Eisai, Chugai, Abbott Japan, Astellas, Daiichi-Sankyo, AbbVie, Janssen, Pfizer, Takeda, Astra-Zeneca, Eli Lilly Japan, GlaxoSmithKline, Quintiles, MSD, and Asahi Kasei, and has received research grants from Bristol-Myers Squibb, Mitsubishi-Tanabe, AbbVie, MSD, Chugai, Astellas, Daiichi-Sankyo.

H. Yasuoka has received speaking fees from AbbVie, Chugai, Daiichi Sankyo, Eisai, Mitsubishi Tanabe, Pfizer, Takeda, and Teijin Pharma.

H. Yamanaka has received research grants from AbbVie, Asahi Kasei Pharma, Astellas, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Chugai, Daiichi Sankyo, Eisai, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen, Mitsubishi Tanabe, MSD, Nippon Kayaku, Pfizer, Santen, Taisho Toyama, Takeda, and Teijin Pharma,

K. Amano has received speaking fees from AbbVie, Astellas, Bristol Myers Squibb, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Esai Co. Ltd, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, and Pfizer Co. Ltd.

E. Tanaka has received speaking and/or consulting fees from Abbott Japan Co., Ltd., Astellas Pharma Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Eisai Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co., Pfizer Japan Inc., Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., and Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

T. Takeuchi has received consulting fees, speaking fees and/or honoraria from AbbVie G.K., Abbott Japan Co., Ltd. Asahi Kasei Pharma, Astellas Pharma, Astra Zeneca, K.K., Bristol-Myers K.K., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co,. Ltd., Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Eisai Co., Ltd., Eli-Lilly Japan K.K., Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K., Pfizer Japan Inc., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co., Novartis Pharma K.K., Sanofi-aventis K.K., Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Taisho Toyama Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., and Teijin Pharma Ltd.

All other authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.