EP14 Association between initial csDMARD strategy and disease activity at 6 months in patients with new onset rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Abstract Background Until 2018, NICE guidance recommended the use of a combination of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), including methotrexate (MTX), in the initial management of people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In 2018 the guideline was updated to recommend monotherapy with MTX due to uncertainties in the evidence for combination therapy. However, it remains a requirement for progression onto any biologic that the patient should have persistent high disease activity and/or have intolerance to, a minimum of two DMARDs. The aim of this study was to understand the association between initial treatment strategy and EULAR response at 6 months. Methods This analysis included patients recruited to the longitudinal observational Rheumatoid Arthritis Medication Study (RAMS) in the UK who were DMARD naïve and had symptoms for less than 1 year. Patients were defined as either starting MTX monotherapy or MTX in combination with another DMARD (6 weeks either side of MTX start date) and categorised into EULAR non responders or moderate/ good responders after 6 months. A logistic regression model was applied to test the association between initial treatment strategy and EULAR response at 6 months, adjusting for confounders. Results A total of 948 participants were included in the analysis. MTX monotherapy was prescribed in 72% (n = 678) of patients and combination therapy was prescribed in 28% (n = 270) of patients, the majority of whom received MTX plus hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) (n = 236, 87%). There was no significant difference between the MTX monotherapy and combination therapy groups in EULAR response at 6-months (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.77, 95% CI 0.53 to 1.14). Conclusion In this large UK observational study investigating the effect of treatment strategy within the first 6 weeks of presentation and treatment response at 6 months, there was no significant difference between combination DMARD therapy and MTX monotherapy on EULAR response. Most patients received MTX in combination with HCQ, for which little evidence exists. Disclosures S. Wood None. K. Hyrich Consultancies; ABBVIE. Grants/research support; BMS, PFIZER, UCB. S. Verstappen None. D. Steinke None.