Rheumatology Advance Access published online on March 31, 2003
Rheumatology, doi:10.1093/rheumatology/keg231
Rheumatology © British Society for Rheumatology 2003; all rights reserved
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Original Papers
1 Dudley Guest Hospital, Dudley, UK
* Corresponding author. E-mail: ian.rowe{at}worcsacute.wmids.nhs.uk.
Received 10 July 2002
; accepted 3 December 2002
Objectives. There are currently two anti-tumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapies licensed for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A British Society for Rheumatology (BSR) working party defined criteria for patients that would be suitable for such treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of these patients attending rheumatology out-patient departments across the West Midlands. Methods. Data were collected over a 2-week period in adult out-patient departments of 12 centres. A questionnaire was completed at each patient review. Disease activity scores (DAS-28) were recorded for those who had failed methotrexate treatment and at least one other disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) in the absence of contraindications to anti-TNF therapy. Information was also collected on the number of DMARDs failed and the use of steroid therapy. Results. A total of 1441 patients with RA were assessed; 177 (12.3%) patients had failed methotrexate and at least one other DMARD. Of these, 19 had contraindications to the use of anti-TNF therapy. In the remaining 158 patients (11%), 80 (5.6%) had a DAS-28 score of >5.1, thus fulfilling BSR criteria for use of anti-TNF therapy. Those with a DAS-28 score of Conclusions. Of patients with RA attending adult rheumatology out-patient clinics in the West Midlands, 5.6% would meet BSR criteria for use of anti-TNF therapy. Eligibility may be affected by steroid use.
Key words: Rheumatoid arthritis, Out-patients, Anti-TNF therapy, BSR guidelines.
The prevalence of patients with rheumatoid arthritis in the West Midlands fulfilling the BSR criteria for anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy: an out-patient study
2 Worcestershire Royal Hospital, Worcester, UK
3 Cannock Chase Hospital, Cannock, UK
4 Walsgrave Hospital, Coventry, UK
5 City Hospital, Birmingham, UK
5.1 were significantly more likely to have been taking steroids compared with those with a DAS-28 score >5.1 (68.2 and 49.3%, respectively, P=0.024).
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