A post-hoc analysis was performed to determine the relationship between the timing and magnitude of DAS28(ESR) response and long term outcomes in Japanese patients after 1 year of CZP treatment.
Our analysis included 82 J-RAPID trial patients treated with CZP 200 mg and methotrexate, and 116 HIKARI trial patients treated with CZP 200 mg alone or with disease-modifying agents other than methotrexate. Remission rates and changes in mTSS at year 1 were compared to the DAS28(ESR) response at week 12 of CZP treatment.
After 1 year of treatment, remission was achieved in 41.3% of the J-RAPID and 34.9% of the HIKARI patients with a week 12 DAS28(ESR) response of ≥ 1.2. In comparison, patients with a DAS28(ESR) response of < 1.2 at week 12 only had a < 7% probability of achieving remission and displayed higher change in mTSS after 1-year treatment.
The likelihood of remission and extent of radiographic progression after 1 year was associated with the week 12 DAS28(ESR) response. The DAS28(ESR) response at 12 weeks could be beneficial for identifying patients that are unlikely to respond to prolonged CZP treatment.