Multi-biomarker Disease Activity Score Research Articles

Flares in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients with Low Disease Activity: Predictability and Association with Worse Clinical Outcomes.

To investigate predictors of flare in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with low disease activity (LDA) and to evaluate the effect of flare on 12-month clinical outcomes. Patients with RA who were taking disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and had a stable 28-joint count Disease Activity Score (DAS28) < 3.2 were eligible for inclusion. At baseline and every 3 months, clinical (DAS28), functional [Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI), EQ-5D, Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy Fatigue scale (FACIT-F), Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36)], serum biomarkers [multibiomarker disease activity (MBDA) score, calprotectin, CXCL10], and imaging data were collected. Flare was defined as an increase in DAS28 compared with baseline of > 1.2, or > 0.6 if concurrent DAS28 ≥ 3.2. Cox regression analyses were used to identify baseline predictors of flare. Biomarkers were cross-sectionally correlated at time of flare. Linear regressions were performed to compare clinical outcomes after 1 year. Of 152 patients, 46 (30%) experienced a flare. Functional disability at baseline was associated with flare: HAQ-DI had an unadjusted HR 1.82 (95% CI 1.20-2.72) and EQ-5D had HR 0.20 (95% CI 0.07-0.57). In multivariate analyses, only HAQ-DI remained a significant independent predictor of flare (HR 1.76, 95% CI 1.05-2.93). At time of flare, DAS28 and its components significantly correlated with MBDA and calprotectin, but correlation coefficients were low at 0.52 and 0.49, respectively. Two-thirds of flares were not associated with a rise in biomarkers. Patients who flared had significantly worse outcomes at 12 months (HAQ-DI, EQ-5D, FACIT-F, SF-36, and radiographic progression). Flares occur frequently in RA patients with LDA and are associated with worse disease activity, quality of life, and radiographic progression. Higher baseline HAQ-DI was modestly predictive of flare, while biomarker correlation at the time of flare suggests a noninflammatory component in a majority of events.

Determination of the minimally important difference (MID) in multi-biomarker disease activity (MBDA) test scores: impact of diurnal and daily biomarker variation patterns on MBDA scores

The Multi-Biomarker Disease Activity (MBDA) score is a validated rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity measure based on 12 serum biomarkers. Here, we evaluate short-term biological variability of MBDA scores to determine the magnitude of change that might be considered clinically meaningful. Twenty-eight adult seropositive RA patients with clinically stable disease and no changes in RA medications for 4 weeks prior to study were enrolled. Nine serum samples were obtained over four consecutive days (non-fasting). MBDA score variation was assessed day-to-day (daily) and within 24 h (diurnal). The standard deviation (SD) of MBDA scores was calculated by a linear mixed model including random effects for patient, day, and time of day. The minimally important difference (MID) was calculated as {z}_{0.95}sqrt{2times mathrm{total} mathrm{variance} mathrm{of} mathrm{MBDAs}} . A subgroup analysis was performed for patients with active RA (moderate or high MBDA score). The SD of MBDA score change in the full cohort was 4.7 in a combined daily-diurnal variation analysis, which corresponds with an MID of 11. The SD of MBDA score change in the subset of patients with active RA (moderate/high MBDA scores) was 3.6. This corresponds with an MID of 8 units in patients with active RA for whom clinicians are most likely to need guidance with respect to therapeutic decisions. Changes in MBDA score ≥ 8 represent a change in RA disease activity that clinicians can use as a benchmark for therapeutic drug efficacy and can be incorporated into a treat-to-target strategy.

Predictive value of a multi-biomarker disease activity score for clinical remission and radiographic progression in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis: a post-hoc study of the OPERA trial

Objectives: Measurement of serum biomarkers at disease onset may improve prediction of disease course in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We evaluated the multi-biomarker disease activity (MBDA) score and early changes in MBDA score for prediction of 28-joint Disease Activity Score based on C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP) remission and radiographic progression in the double-blinded OPERA trial.Method: Treatment-naïve RA patients (N = 180) with moderate or high DAS28 were randomized to methotrexate (MTX) + adalimumab (n = 89) or MTX + placebo (n = 91) in combination with glucocorticoid injection into swollen joints. X-rays of hands and feet were evaluated at months 0 and 12 (n = 164) by the total Sharp van der Heijde score (TSS). The smallest detectable change (1.8 TSS units) defined radiographic progression (∆TSS ≥ 2). Clinical remission (DAS28-CRP < 2.6) was assessed at baseline and 6 months. MBDA score was determined at 0 and 3 months and tested in a multivariable logistic regression model for predicting DAS28 remission at 6 months and radiographic progression at 1 year.Results: Baseline MBDA score was independently associated with radiographic progression at 1 year [odds ratio (OR) = 1.03/unit, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.01–1.06], and changes in MBDA score from baseline to 3 months with clinical remission at 6 months [OR = 0.98/unit, 95% CI 0.96–1.00). In anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (anti-CCP)-positive patients, 35 of 89 with high MBDA score (> 44) showed radiographic progression (PPV = 39%), compared with 0 of 15 patients (NPV = 100%) with low/moderate MBDA score (≤ 44) (p = 0.003).Conclusion: Early changes in MBDA score were associated with clinical remission based on DAS28-CRP at 6 months. In anti-CCP-positive patients, a non-high baseline MBDA score (≤ 44) had a clinical value by predicting very low risk of radiographic progression at 12 months.

Influence of obesity, age, and comorbidities on the multi-biomarker disease activity test in rheumatoid arthritis.

Traditional markers of inflammation are often required for inclusion in rheumatoid arthritis trials, yet patients with active disease may have normal lab tests. The potential use of the multi-biomarker disease activity (MBDA) test in this setting is unclear, as is understanding of whether it is influenced by patient characteristics (e.g., age, BMI, and comorbidities). Using data from the Corrona registry, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis of RA patients with MBDA tests. Patients were classified as low (<30), moderate (30-44, and high (>44) and by clinical and RA-related factors. Regression was used to evaluate the association between MBDA score and age, body mass index, comorbidities, and RA-related factors. Of 357 eligible patients, 76% (n = 273) had normal CRP (<10mg/L) with high (33%), moderate (45%), and low (22%) disease activity by MBDA. The MBDA score was significantly associated with BMI, age, CDAI, and SJC. There was no association between MBDA score and fibromyalgia, diabetes, smoking, or COPD; none were confounders between MBDA score and either SJC or CDAI. For patients in CDAI remission, older age (2.6 units per decade; p = 0.03) and obesity (β = 10.5 for BMI > 30, referent to <25; p = 0.02) were independently associated with MBDA score. An adjusted MBDA score was proposed that was highly correlated with the original MBDA (r = 0.91). In this real-world analysis, the MBDA score was associated with RA disease activity, obesity, and age, and was negligibly affected by common comorbidities. Almost one-third of patients with normal CRP had high MBDA scores. An adjustment to the MBDA score to account for body mass index and age is proposed.

A Multi-Biomarker Disease Activity Score and the Choice of Second-Line Therapy in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis After Methotrexate Failure.

ObjectiveTo investigate whether the Multi‐Biomarker Disease Activity (MBDA) score predicts optimal add‐on treatment in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who were inadequate responders to MTX (MTX‐IRs).MethodsWe analyzed data from 157 MTX‐IRs (with a Disease Activity Score using the erythrocyte sedimentation rate [DAS28‐ESR] >3.2) from the Swedish Pharmacotherapy (SWEFOT) trial who were randomized to receive triple therapy (MTX plus sulfasalazine plus hydroxychloroquine) versus MTX plus infliximab. The MBDA score as a predictor of the subsequent DAS28‐based response to each second‐line treatment was analyzed at randomization with the Breslow‐Day test for 2 × 2 groups, using both validated categories (low [<30], moderate [30–44], and high [>44]) and dichotomized categories (lower [≤38] versus higher [>38]).ResultsAmong the 157 patients, 12% had a low MBDA score, 32% moderate, and 56% high. Of those with a low MBDA score, 88% responded to subsequent triple therapy, and 18% responded to MTX plus infliximab (P = 0.006); for those with a high MBDA score, the response rates were 35% and 58%, respectively (P = 0.040). When using 38 as a cutoff for the MBDA score (29% patients with lower scores versus 71% with higher scores), the differential associations with response to triple therapy versus MTX plus infliximab were 79% versus 44% and 36% versus 58%, respectively (P = 0.001). Clinical and inflammatory markers had poorer predictive capacity for response to triple therapy or MTX plus infliximab.ConclusionIn patients with RA who had an inadequate response to MTX, the MBDA score categories were differentially associated with response to subsequent therapies. Thus, patients with post‐MTX biochemical improvements (lower MBDA scores) were more likely to respond to triple therapy than to MTX plus infliximab. If confirmed, these results may help to improve treatment in RA.

A multi-biomarker score measuring disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis patients tapering adalimumab or etanercept: predictive value for clinical and radiographic outcomes.

The aim was to evaluate the predictive value of the baseline multi-biomarker disease activity (MBDA) score in long-standing RA patients with low disease activity tapering TNF inhibitors (TNFi) for successful tapering or discontinuation, occurrence of flare and major flare, and radiographic progression. Dose REduction Strategies of Subcutaneous TNF inhibitors (Dutch Trial Register, NTR 3216) is an 18-month non-inferiority randomized controlled trial comparing tapering of TNFi until discontinuation or flaring with usual care (UC) in long-standing RA patients with stable low disease activity. Flare was defined as DAS28-CRP increase >1.2 or >0.6 if current DAS ⩾3.2; major flare was a flare lasting >3 months, despite treatment intervention. MBDA scores were measured at baseline. Radiographs were scored at baseline and 18 months using the Sharp-van der Heijde score. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve was used to analyse the capability of baseline MBDA score to predict the above-mentioned outcomes. Serum samples and outcomes were available for 171 of 180 patients from Dose REduction Strategies of Subcutaneous TNF inhibitors (115 tapering; 56 UC). AUROC analyses showed that baseline MBDA score was not predictive for the above-mentioned clinical outcomes in the taper group, but did predict major flare in the UC group (AUROC = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.56, 0.88). Radiographic progression was minimal and was not predicted by MDBA score. In this disease activity-guided strategy study of TNFi tapering in RA patients with low disease activity, baseline MBDA score was not predictive for successful tapering, discontinuation, flare, major flare or radiographic progression in patients who tapered TNFi.

Investigation of a multi-biomarker disease activity score in rheumatoid arthritis by comparison with magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, ultrasonography, and radiography parameters of inflammation and damage

Objectives: To investigate the multi-biomarker disease activity (MBDA) score by comparison with imaging findings in an investigator-initiated rheumatoid arthritis (RA) trial (HURRAH trial, NCT00696059).Method: Fifty-two patients with established RA initiated adalimumab treatment and had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT), and radiography performed at weeks 0, 26, and 52. Serum samples were analysed using MBDA score assays and associations between clinical measures, MBDA score, and imaging findings were investigated.Results: The MBDA score correlated significantly with MRI synovitis (rho = 0.65, p < 0.001), MRI bone marrow oedema (rho = 0.36, p = 0.044), and US power Doppler (PD) score at week 26 (rho = 0.35, p = 0.039) but not at week 0 or week 52. In the 15 patients who had achieved a Disease Activity Score based on C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP) < 2.6 at week 26, MRI and/or US detected subclinical inflammation and 13 (87%) had a moderate/high MBDA score. For the cohort with available data, none of the four patients in MBDA remission (score ≤ 25) at week 26 had progression of imaging damage from baseline to week 52 whereas progression was observed in three out of nine (33%) and seven out of 21 (33%) patients with moderate (30–44) and high (> 44) MBDA scores, respectively.Conclusions: In this cohort, the MBDA score correlated poorly with MRI/US inflammation. However, the MBDA score and MRI/US were generally concordant in showing signs of inflammation in most patients in clinical remission during anti-tumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy. MBDA scores were elevated in all patients with structural damage progression.

Brief Report: Estimating Disease Activity Using Multi-Biomarker Disease Activity Scores in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Treated With Abatacept or Adalimumab.

ObjectiveTo assess the ability of a multi‐biomarker disease activity (MBDA) test (Vectra DA) to reflect clinical measures of disease activity in patients enrolled in the AMPLE (Abatacept Versus Adalimumab Comparison in Biologic‐Naive RA Subjects with Background Methotrexate) trial.MethodsIn the AMPLE trial, patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who were naive to biologic agents and had an inadequate response to methotrexate were randomized (1:1) to receive subcutaneous abatacept (125 mg every week) or subcutaneous adalimumab (40 mg every 2 weeks), with background methotrexate, for 2 years. The MBDA score was determined using serum samples collected at baseline, month 3, and years 1 and 2. The adjusted mean change from baseline in the MBDA score was compared between the abatacept and adalimumab treatment groups. Cross‐tabulation was used to compare the MBDA score with the following clinical measures of disease activity: Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI), Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI), Disease Activity Score in 28 joints using the C‐reactive protein level (DAS28‐CRP), and Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3 (RAPID‐3).ResultsIn total, 318 patients were randomized to receive abatacept, and 328 were randomized to receive adalimumab; MBDA data were available for 259 and 265 patients, respectively. No association between the MBDA score and disease activity defined by the CDAI, SDAI, DAS28‐CRP, or RAPID‐3 in the abatacept and adalimumab treatment groups was observed.ConclusionThe MBDA score did not reflect clinical disease activity in patients enrolled in AMPLE and should not be used to guide decision‐making in the management of RA, particularly for patients who receive abatacept or adalimumab as the first biologic agent.

Association of the multi-biomarker disease activity score with joint destruction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitor treatment in clinical practice

Objective: Evaluate the association between the multi-biomarker disease activity (MBDA) score and radiographic progression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α inhibitors.Methods: Change (Δ) in modified total Sharp score (mTSS) over 52 weeks and disease activity scores were examined retrospectively by Spearman's rank correlation coefficient in patients (N = 83) with RA initiating TNF-inhibitor treatment. Relative risk (RR) of ΔmTSS >0.5 for low MBDA score and 28-joint count disease activity score (DAS28) categories and associations between ΔmTSS and MBDA score categories conditional on DAS28 categories were assessed.Results: At 52 weeks, 34% of patients had ΔmTSS >0.5 and 12% had ΔmTSS >3. Strongest correlations were observed between ΔmTSS and MBDA score (r = 0.47) or DAS28 (r = 0.42) at Week 24 and for area under the curve at Week 52 (MBDA score: r = 0.44, DAS28: r = 0.41), all p < 0.001. At Week 24, RR of ΔmTSS >0.5 for moderate/high MBDA score (≥30) or DAS28 (>3.2) were 6.6 (p < 0.001) and 2.7 (p = 0.005), respectively. Low DAS28 had greater risk of ΔmTSS >0.5 at 52 weeks when MBDA score was ≥30 (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Higher MBDA score or DAS28 at Week 24 was associated with greater radiographic progression over 52 weeks of TNF-inhibitor treatment. MBDA score improved risk discrimination for radiographic progression within DAS28 categories.

Association of a multibiomarker disease activity score at multiple time-points with radiographic progression in rheumatoid arthritis: results from the SWEFOT trial

ObjectivesIn rheumatoid arthritis (RA), predictive biomarkers for subsequent radiographic progression (RP) could improve therapeutic choices for individual patients. We previously showed that the multibiomarker disease activity (MBDA) score in patients...

Assessment of disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis by multi-biomarker disease activity (MBDA) score.

For assessing clinical disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), several composite measures of physical findings, patents'/evaluators' visual analog scales, and acute phase reactants has been used, contributing to advance in therapies through many clinical trials. However, more objective indices have been desired due to subjectivity in conventional indices. The Multi-Biomarker Disease Activity (MBDA) score is a novel blood-test based disease activity score of single integer ranging 1-100, derived from pre-specified algorithms in combination with 12 serum biomarkers (VCAM-1, EGF, VEGF-A, IL-6, TNF-RI, YKL-40, MMP-1, MMP-3, leptin, resistin, SAA, CRP). The MBDA score not only reflects disease activity in RA, but also is predictive for radiographic progression and risk of flare after drug reduction. Herein we review clinical usefulness of the MBDA score in RA.

Multibiomarker disease activity score and C-reactive protein in a cross-sectional observational study of patients with rheumatoid arthritis with and without concomitant fibromyalgia.

Objectives. To examine the association between a multibiomarker disease activity (MBDA) score, CRP and clinical disease activity measures among RA patients with and without concomitant FM.Methods. In an observational cohort of patients with established RA, we performed a cross-sectional analysis comparing MBDA scores with CRP by rank correlation and cross-classification. MBDA scores, CRP and clinical measures of disease activity were compared between patients with RA alone and RA with concomitant FM (RA and FM) by univariate and multivariate analyses.Results. CRP was ⩽1.0 mg/dl for 184 of 198 patients (93%). MBDA scores correlated with CRP (r = 0.755, P < 0.001), but were often discordant, being moderate or high for 19%, 55% and 87% of patients with CRP ⩽0.1, 0.1 to ⩽0.3, or 0.3 to ⩽1.0 mg/dl, respectively. Among patients with CRP ⩽1.0 mg/dl, swollen joint count (SJC) increased linearly across levels of MBDA score, both with (P = 0.021) and without (P = 0.004) adjustment for CRP, whereas CRP was not associated with SJC. The 28-joint-DAS-CRP, other composite measures, and their non-joint-count component measures were significantly greater for patients with RA and FM (n = 25) versus RA alone (n = 173) (all P ⩽ 0.005). MBDA scores and CRP were similar between groups.Conclusion. MBDA scores frequently indicated RA disease activity when CRP did not. Neither one was significantly greater among patients with RA and FM versus RA alone. Thus, MBDA score may be a useful objective measure for identifying RA patients with active inflammation when CRP is low (⩽1.0 mg/dl), including RA patients with concomitant FM.

Brief report: enhancement of patient recruitment in rheumatoid arthritis clinical trials using a multi-biomarker disease activity score as an inclusion criterion.

ObjectiveRheumatoid arthritis (RA) clinical trials often exclude patients who have low C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels, which slows enrollment into the trial. The purpose of this study was to determine whether high Multi‐Biomarker Disease Activity (MBDA) scores (>44) in RA patients with low CRP levels (≤10 mg/liter) could be used as a complement to CRP levels >10 mg/liter to enhance patient recruitment without affecting clinical trial outcomes.MethodsWe evaluated patients from the Swedish Pharmacotherapy (SWEFOT) trial, which did not include any selection criteria for CRP levels. Clinical outcomes were assessed after 3 months of methotrexate (MTX) monotherapy in MTX‐naive RA patients (n = 220) and after 3–10 months of add‐on therapy in patients who were incomplete responders to MTX alone (MTX‐IR) (n = 127). Radiographic outcomes were assessed at 1 year in all patients. Within each cohort, the outcomes were compared between patients with a CRP level of ≤10 mg/liter and an MBDA score of >44 at the start of the respective treatment interval versus those with a CRP level of >10 mg/liter.ResultsPatients with both a CRP level of ≤10 mg/liter and an MBDA score of >44 at baseline had clinical and radiographic outcomes that were comparable to those in patients with a CRP level of >10 mg/liter at baseline. This broadened definition of the inclusion criteria identified an additional 24% of patients in the MTX‐naive cohort and 47% in the MTX‐IR cohort.ConclusionPatient recruitment into RA clinical trials may be substantially enhanced, without any decrease in clinical and radiographic outcomes, by using as an inclusion criterion “a CRP level of >10 mg/liter and/or an MBDA score of >44.”

Prediction of disease relapses by multibiomarker disease activity and autoantibody status in patients with rheumatoid arthritis on tapering DMARD treatment

ObjectiveTo analyse the role of multibiomarker disease activity (MBDA) score in predicting disease relapses in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in sustained remission who tapered disease modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD)...

A multi-biomarker disease activity score for monitoring rheumatoid arthritis

A multi-biomarker disease activity score for monitoring rheumatoid arthritis

Relationship of multi-biomarker disease activity score and other risk factors with radiographic progression in an observational study of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives. To evaluate the multi-biomarker disease activity (MBDA) score as a predictor of radiographic progression and compare it with other risk factors among patients with established RA receiving non-biologic DMARDs.Methods. For 163 patients with RA, we assessed 271 visits for MBDA score (scale of 1−100), clinical data and subsequent 1-year radiographic progression (change in Sharp−van der Heijde score [SHS]). Scatter plot and non-parametric quantile regression curves evaluated the relationship between the MBDA score and change in SHS. Changes in joint space narrowing and erosions were compared among MBDA categories with Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. The ability of the MBDA score to independently predict progression was determined by multivariate models and cross-classification of MBDA score with other risk factors. Generalized estimating equation methodology was used in model estimations to adjust for same-patient visits, always ≥1 year apart.Results. Patient characteristics included 67% female, 66%/67% RF+/anti-CCP+; mean age 55 years, MBDA score 43 (moderate = 30−44); median disease duration 4.6 years, SHS 23. Radiographic progression was infrequent for low MBDA scores. Relative risk for progression increased continuously as the MBDA score increased, reaching 17.4 for change in SHS >5 with MBDA scores ≥60. Joint space narrowing and erosion progression were associated with MBDA score. MBDA score was associated with radiographic progression after adjustments for other risk factors. MBDA score significantly differentiated risk for progression when swollen joint count, CRP or DAS28–CRP was low, and among seropositive patients.Conclusion. MBDA score enhanced the ability of conventional risk factors to predict radiographic progression in patients with established RA receiving non-biologic DMARDs.

A multi-biomarker disease activity score tracks clinical response consistently in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with different anti-tumor necrosis factor therapies: A retrospective observational study

Objectives. To assess the ability of a multi-biomarker disease activity (MBDA) score to track clinical response in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with different TNF inhibitors.Methods. The study included 147 patients who had received adalimumab, etanercept, or infliximab for a year or more, during routine clinical care at the University Hospital of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan. MBDA scores and clinical measures of disease activity were evaluated at baseline and, after 24 weeks (N = 84) and 52 weeks of treatment. Relationships between the changes (∆) in MBDA score and changes in clinical measures or EULAR response categories were evaluated.Results. The median disease activity was 5.7 by DAS28-ESR and 64 by MBDA score at baseline, and decreased significantly with treatment. ∆MBDA scores over 1 year correlated with ∆DAS28-ESR (r = 0.48) and ∆DAS28-CRP (r = 0.46). Linear relationships between ∆MBDA scores and ∆DAS28-ESR or ∆DAS28-CRP were not significantly different between TNF inhibitors. The MBDA scores declined significantly more in good responders (median change: –29) than moderate (–21), and more in moderate than in non-responders (+ 2), by the EULAR criteria.Conclusions. MBDA scores tracked disease activity and treatment response in patients with RA treated with three TNF inhibitors. The relationships between ∆MBDA scores and ∆DAS28-ESR or ∆DAS28-CRP were consistent across the three TNF inhibitor groups.

FRI0042 Validation of A Multi-Biomarker Disease Activity Score in Rheumatoid Arthritis in Relation to Imaging Inflammation and Damage

BackgroundA multi-biomarker disease activity (MBDA) score has been validated as a measure of disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).ObjectivesThis study aimed to further validate the MBDA score in relation to...

FRI0005 In Early RA Patients with Non-Response to Methotrexate Monotherapy the Change in Multi-Biomarker Disease Activity Score is Differentially Associated with Subsequent Response to Non-Biological versus Biological Therapy

BackgroundFor patients with early RA (eRA), methotrexate (MTX) is recommended as first-line treatment and in non-responders both the addition of conventional non-biological disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug therapy (triple DMARD therapy)...

SAT0047 Multi-Biomarker Disease Activity (Vectra® DA Algorithm) Score is Associated with Power Doppler Ultrasound in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis in Low Disease Activity State: the Remira Cohort

BackgroundPatients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are increasingly achieving clinical remission with intensive treatment regimens. Ultrasound subclinical synovitis are reported in remission states. The presence of power doppler (PD) signal in...