Effectiveness of sulfasalazine and methotrexate in 1102 DMARD-naive patients with early RA

作者:Lie Elisabeth*; Uhlig Till; van der Heijde Desiree; Rodevand Erik; Kalstad Synove; Kaufmann Cecilie; Mikkelsen Knut; Kvien Tore K
来源:Rheumatology, 2012, 51(4): 670-678.
DOI:10.1093/rheumatology/ker356

摘要

Objective. To compare baseline characteristics, responses and drug survival in patients with early RA starting SSZ or MTX in a real-life setting. %26lt;br%26gt;Methods. The analyses included DMARD-naive patients with RA (disease duration 1 year) starting SSZ or MTX. Three- and 6-month effectiveness was compared by unadjusted analysis and with adjustment for propensity score quintile. In addition, effectiveness in SSZ- and MTX-treated patients matched for RF status and baseline DAS-28 was compared. %26lt;br%26gt;Results. SSZ-treated patients (n = 175) had lower baseline disease activity than patients treated with MTX (n = 927) [mean 28-joint DAS (DAS-28) 4.4 vs 5.0, P %26lt; 0.001], and were less often RF positive (50 vs 61%, P = 0.006). Six-month mean delta DAS-28 was smaller with SSZ than MTX (-1.0 vs -1.5, P = 0.003); the difference was not significant after adjustment for propensity score quintile (P = 0.36). For SSZ/MTX, 3-month ACR50 and European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) good responses were 9/23% (P %26lt; 0.001) and 24/31% (P = 0.14), respectively. Three-year drug survival was superior for MTX (P %26lt; 0.001) and estimated 1-year survival rates were 42/75% for SSZ/MTX. In patients matched for baseline DAS-28 and RF, mean delta DAS-28 (MTX -1.2, P = 0.55 vs SSZ) and EULAR good responses (39 vs 37%, P = 0.74) were similar at 6 months; drug survival was superior for MTX (P %26lt; 0.001). %26lt;br%26gt;Conclusion. Patients treated with SSZ as first DMARD were more often RF negative and had lower baseline disease activity. Drug survival was superior for MTX, and effectiveness was greater with MTX than with SSZ although the difference was reduced when adjusting for differences in baseline characteristics.

  • 出版日期2012-4