Efficacy of first-line tocilizumab therapy in early polymyalgia rheumatica: a prospective longitudinal study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Glucocorticoids are the cornerstone treatment of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) but induce adverse events.

Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of first-line tocilizumab in PMR.

Methods

In a prospective open-label study (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01713842), 20 glucocorticoid-free patients fulfilling Chuang's PMR criteria, with symptom onset within the last 12 months and a PMR activity score (PMR-AS) >10, each received three tocilizumab infusions at 4-week intervals, without glucocorticoids, followed by oral prednisone from weeks 12 to 24 (0.15 mg/kg if PMR-AS ≤10 and 0.30 mg/kg otherwise). The primary end point was the proportion of patients with PMR-AS≤10 at week 12.

Results

Baseline median PMR-AS was 36.6 (IQR 30.4-43.8). At week 12, all patie

SUBMITTER: Devauchelle-Pensec V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4975852 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature