Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) inhibitors have substantially improved the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). 1 However, data from real-life studies reveal that as many as half of patients interrupt or stop first-line anti-TNF agents. 2 European Guidelines recommend that if one anti-TNF fails, patients with RA may receive a second anti-TNF or another drug with a different mode of action. 3 Current approved anti-TNF inhibitors for the treatment of RA, PsA, and axSpA include adalimumab, infliximab, etanercept, certolizumab pegol, and golimumab (GLM).Data from randomized controlled trials have shown that GLM is effective for the treatment of RA, 4 PsA, 5 and axSpA, 6 with ~70% maintaining treatment through 5 years. 7 In GO-AFTER, a phase-III trial, 8 GLM was effective and safe in RA patients who had failed one or more anti-TNF drugs. 8 However, limited data are available from real-life studies in RA as well as PsA and axSpA. 9-14 Previously, we evaluated the effectiveness of GLM as a second anti-TNF drug in patients with RA, axSpA, or PsA up to 6 months. 15 This analysis of the GO-BEYOND study evaluated the effectiveness and retention rate up to 12 months.
| ME THODS
| Patients and study designPatients diagnosed with RA, PsA, or axSpA who initiated GLM after first-line anti-TNFα inhibitor failure participated in this study from 2017 to 2019. All patients received a 50 mg (100 mg in patients ≥100 kg) monthly dose of GLM subcutaneously (as specified in the Summary of Product Characteristics). 6 Visits were performed at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. The characteristics of patients as well as inclusion and exclusion criteria have been described in detail elsewhere.