title: A retrospective chart review of the use of rituximab for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in Australian rheumatology practice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Rituximab is one of nine biologic agents approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Australia. The primary study objective was to analyze the factors that lead to the therapeutic decision to use rituximab in RA.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional, retrospective chart review was conducted to identify patients who were treated with rituximab and to evaluate their response to treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Factors influencing the prescription of rituximab were identified. The most commonly reported reason for prescribing rituximab was the presence of comorbidities and the presence of seropositive disease. Median rituximab treatment duration was 32.5 months and mean number of treatment cycles was 4.1. Disease activity scores showed significant improvement from baseline to most recent visit. Rituximab treatment was well-tolerated in this group of RA patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rituximab was effective in a refractory group of RA patients and appears to be safe in a population with a high prevalence of comorbidities, including malignancy and recurrent infections/bronchiectasis. This study may assist rheumatologists in selecting appropriately targeted therapy in RA.
authors.affiliation: Coast Joint Care, Maroochydore, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Dave
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nicholls
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zochling
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boers
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Champion
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mathers
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Riordan
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Youssef
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: Hedley
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Griffiths
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D001688:Biological Products / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012219:Rheumatology; D012307:Risk Factors; D000069283:Rituximab; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D001688:Biological Products; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000069283:Rituximab
keywords: Australia; chart review; comorbidities; rheumatoid arthritis; rituximab