LONG-TERM FOLLOW UP OF ABATACEPT IN USUAL INTERSTITIAL PNEUMONIA ASSOCIATED TO RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS. NATIONAL MULTICENTER STUDY OF 172 PATIENTS
Abstract: OP0126
Authors: B. Atienza-Mateo et al.
Key Content:
Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a severe extra-articular manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The therapeutic options for RA patients with ILD are limited as several DMARDs have been associated with more rapid progression of lung fibrosis. The Spanish authors of this work intended to assess the long-term effectiveness and safety of abatacept (ABA) in patients with RA-ILD (UIP). During a 24 months follow-up of 172 patients with UIP, approximately 2/3 of the patients stabilized or improved their lung functions on ABA. The authors conclude that ABA appears to be safe and effective in RA-ILD patients with UIP pattern.
Relevance:
RA associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) is a serious condition associated with increased mortality. Several common DMARD (i.e. MTX) and bDMARD (i.e. anti-TNFs) therapies have been associated with worse outcomes in this setting, but are somewhat difficult to interpret because of the possibility of confounding by indication. In the absence of large randomized trials, cohorts studies like this one are the next best evidence. The data for ABA are very re-assuring and ABA might be one of the few safe options in this setting.
