To evaluate the efficacy and safety of adalimumab (ADA) and methotrexate (MTX) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and investigate critical factors associated with efficacy.
In this retrospective cohort study, patients received ADA at a single facility. Clinical outcome was retrospectively evaluated using the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints with Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (DAS28-ESR).
Of the 122 patients undergoing treatment with ADA between July 2008 and April 2014, DAS28-ESR data after 6 months of treatment were available for 103 and 87 (84.5%) were treated with a combination of ADA and MTX. For combination therapy, time lag between MTX and the initiation of ADA significantly correlated with efficacy of ADA at 6 months, as well as prior use of biologics, but not disease duration.
Clinical outcomes were correlated with the time lag between MTX and the initiation of ADA, not disease duration. Early initiation of ADA after MTX might improve clinical outcomes.