A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of biologics for rheumatoid arthritis: a Cochrane overview.
BACKGROUND
We sought to compare the benefits and safety of 6 biologics (abatacept, adalimumab, anakinra, etanercept, infliximab and rituximab) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.


METHODS
In this network meta-analysis, we included all completed and updated Cochrane reviews on biologics for rheumatoid arthritis. We included data from all placebo-controlled trials that used standard dosing regimens. The major outcomes were benefit (defined as a 50% improvement in patient- and physician-reported criteria of the American College of Rheumatology [ACR50]) and safety (determined by the number of withdrawals related to adverse events). We used mixed-effects logistic regression to carry out an indirect comparison of the treatment effects between biologics.


RESULTS
Compared with placebo, biologics were associated with a clinically important higher ACR50 rate (odds ratio [OR] 3.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.62-4.29) and a number needed to treat for benefit of 4 (95% CI 4-6). However, biologics were associated with more withdrawals related to adverse events (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.13-1.71), with a number needed to treat for harm of 52 (95% CI 29-152). Anakinra was less effective than all of the other biologics, although this difference was statistically significant only for the comparison with adalimumab (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.21-0.99) and etanercept (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.14-0.81). Adalimumab, anakinra and infliximab were more likely than etanercept to lead to withdrawals related to adverse events (adalimumab OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.18-3.04; anakinra OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.27-3.29; and infliximab OR 2.70, 95% CI 1.43-5.26).


CONCLUSIONS
Given the limitations of indirect comparisons, anakinra was less effective than adalimumab and etanercept, and etanercept was safer than adalimumab, anakinra and infliximab. This summary of the evidence will help physicians and patients to make evidence-based choices about biologics for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Singh
Jasvinder A
JA
Department of Medicine, Minneapolis VA Medical Center, Minneapolis, USA. jasvinder.md@gmail.com
Christensen
Robin
R
Wells
George A
GA
Suarez-Almazor
Maria E
ME
Buchbinder
Rachelle
R
Lopez-Olivo
Maria Angeles
MA
Ghogomu
Elizabeth Tanjong
ET
Tugwell
Peter
P
D006801:Humans; D000069594:Abatacept; D000068879:Adalimumab; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D000068800:Etanercept; D018796:Immunoconjugates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069285:Infliximab; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016015:Logistic Models; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016017:Odds Ratio; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069283:Rituximab; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000069594:Abatacept; D000068879:Adalimumab; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D000068800:Etanercept; D018796:Immunoconjugates; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D000069285:Infliximab; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein; D008727:Methotrexate; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D000069283:Rituximab