title: Efficacy and safety of abatacept in routine care of patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Orencia(®) as Biological Intensive Treatment for RA (ORBIT) study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the efficacy and safety of abatacept for treating patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in routine clinical practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective study of 137 RA patients who were treated with abatacept for 24 weeks between October 2010 and June 2011 at four rheumatology centers in Japan. Outcomes were compared between biologic-naïve and biologic-experienced patients. Disease activity was assessed using the Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI) and the 28-joint Disease Activity Score based on the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The retention rate of abatacept at 24 weeks was 79.6%. SDAI (from 24.6 ± 12.5 to 12.9 ± 11.6) and DAS28-ESR (from 5.2 ± 1.4 to 3.9 ± 1.4) decreased significantly from baseline to Week 24 (both P < 0.001). Remission/low disease activity were achieved in 2.2%/11.2% (SDAI) and in 5.3%/2.3% (DAS28-ESR). The change in SDAI and the remission/low disease activity rates at Week 24 was greater in biologic-naïve patients than in biologic-experienced patients. Structural remission (van der Heijde-modified total Sharp score ≤ 0.5) was achieved by 63.4% of patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present results confirm that abatacept is effective in routine clinical practice and support its use as the first-line biologic agent in patients.
authors.affiliation: The First Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health Japan , Kitakyushu , Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshiya
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kubo
authors.forename: Hisashi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yamanaka
authors.forename: Koichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Amano
authors.forename: Shintaro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hirata
authors.forename: Eiichi
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Hayato
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nagasawa
authors.forename: Hidekata
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yasuoka
authors.forename: Tsutomu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takeuchi
mesh_terms: D000069594:Abatacept; D000368:Aged; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D033023:Foot Joints / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D050823:Hand Joints / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D018796:Immunoconjugates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D018796:Immunoconjugates; D000069594:Abatacept
keywords: Abatacept; Joint destruction; Remission; Retrospective study; Rheumatoid arthritis