EULAR 2018 - Day 3 Report Save

Behcet’s Responds to Apremilast – We missed reporting this one on Wednesday when Hatemi et al presented the results of a phase 3 trial of apremilast (APR) vs placebo (PBO) in active Behcet’s with oral ulcers, with ≥3 OU at the start. BD patients (n-207) were randomized (1:1) to APR 30 mg BID or PBO (n=103) for 12 weeks, followed by a 52-week active-treatment extension.  The total number of Oral Ulcers was statistically significantly lower in the APR group compared with the PBO group. Numerically greater number of patients had resolution of genital ulcers at Week 12 in the APR group.  It appears this drug is headed to the FDA for decision later this year.

Biologics Do Not Differentially Affect TKR/THR Post-Operative Infection Rates  – a review of the claims data looked at over 11,000 RA patients on biologics (Abatacept, Adalimumab, Etanercept, Infliximab and fewer on Rituximab or Tocilizumab). (OP0228). The post-op hospitalized infection rate was 6.6 to 8.5% and was not significant between biologics (similar for the 30 day readmission rate). This was clearly different with steroid use which showed a dose related increased risk of hospitalized infection and 30 day readmission for infection, with a 2 fold increase risk for those receiving prednisone > 10 mg per day.  Similarly prosthetic joint infections were increased with increasing steroid use but were similar in frequency with biologics. Tocilizumab was associated with a higher risk of prosthetic infections, but this finding is less certain given the lower, limited number of TCZ treated patients in this cohort. (Correction: this article has been updated to reflect the correct abstract, OP0228. We apologize for any inconvenience.)