Switching of biological therapies in Brazilian patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Aim: To assess drug switching, rates of remission and disease activity in Brazilian patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with biologic agents. Materials & methods: Using a retrospective method, a total of 94 adult patients were included. Results: Anti-TNF was the first choice therapy in 85 (90.4%) patients. After an average of 8 years of follow-up, 55 (59%) patients were taking anti-TNF, 18 (19%) abatacept, eight (9%) tocilizumab and 13 (14%) rituximab. In this period, 99 switches of biological therapy were registered in 55 patients. Conclusion: After 8 years of follow-up, 54% of the RA patients on biological therapy were still experiencing high or moderate activity despite established treatment, including switching between different biologic agents.