Posts tagged "Arthritis"

Certain Drugs Lower Risk Of Diabetes For Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis Or Psoriasis

Main Category: Diabetes
Also Included In: Arthritis / Rheumatology;  Eczema / Psoriasis
Article Date: 21 Jun 2011 – 13:00 PDT window.fbAsyncInit = function() { FB.init({ appId: ‘aa16a4bf93f23f07eb33109d5f1134d3′, status: true, cookie: true, xfbml: true, channelUrl: ‘http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/scripts/facebooklike.html’}); }; (function() { var e = document.createElement(‘script’); e.async = true; e.src = document.location.protocol + ‘//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js’; document.getElementById(‘fb-root’).appendChild(e); }()); email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

In a study that included nearly 14,000 patients with rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis, the use of certain disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs was found to lower the risk of diabetes, according to a study in the June 22/29 issue of JAMA.

Two common systemic inflammatory conditions, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriasis, predispose patients to insulin resistance and may place patients at risk for diabetes mellitus (DM). The treatment of psoriasis and RA includes disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, which are directed against the inflammatory response, according to background information in the article. The relationship between these conditions and DM suggests that systemic immunosuppression may also reduce the risk for DM.

Daniel H. Solomon, M.D., M.P.H., of Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, and colleagues examined the relationship between DMARD medications and the risk of newly diagnosed DM among participants with RA or psoriasis. The researchers conducted a retrospective cohort study among 121,280 patients with a diagnosis of either RA or psoriasis on at least 2 visits. The analyses were conducted in the context of 2 large health insurance programs, 1 in Canada and 1 in the United States, using administrative data. The average follow-up was 5.8 months and began with the first prescription for a DMARD after study eligibility was met. Drug regimens were categorized into 4 mutually exclusive groups: (1) TNF inhibitors with or without other DMARDs; (2) methotrexate without TNF inhibitors or hydroxychloroquine; (3) hydroxychloroquine without TNF inhibitors or methotrexate; or (4) other nonbiologic DMARDs without TNF inhibitors, methotrexate, or hydroxychloroquine.

The final study cohort consisted of 13,905 participants with 22,493 new treatment episodes starting 1 of the categories of DMARD regimens between January 1996 and June 2008. The researchers found 267 newly diagnosed cases of DM: 55 cases among 3,993 treatment episodes with nonbiologic DMARD users; 80 cases among 4,623 treatment episodes with TNF inhibitor users; 82 cases among 8,195 treatment episodes with methotrexate users; and 50 cases among 5,682 treatment episodes with hydroxychloroquine users. The incidence rates for DM were highest for individuals who switched to other nonbiologic DMARDs and lowest for TNF inhibitor users. “The fully adjusted models suggest a reduced relative risk of DM for TNF inhibitor and hydroxychloroquine compared with other nonbiologic DMARDs,” the authors write.

According to the authors, “The findings from this epidemiologic study should be considered hypothesis-generating. However, considering these results in light of prior findings regarding improved insulin and glucose metabolism and reduced DM risk with hydroxychloroquine and TNF inhibitors, there is evidence suggesting a possible role for DMARDs and immunosuppression in DM prevention. A randomized controlled trial testing the ability of these agents to prevent DM among participants with systemic inflammatory disorders should be considered.”

JAMA. 2011;305[24]2525-2531.

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Of course, in regard to autoimmune etiology of DMII, BUT the effect of corticosteroids, widely used in treatment until recently, was different.

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Early, Aggressive Treatment May Help Reduce Symptoms And Improve Joint Function In Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)

Main Category: Arthritis / Rheumatology
Also Included In: Eczema / Psoriasis
Article Date: 20 Jan 2012 – 1:00 PST

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Medications or biologic agents that target T-cells, white blood cells involved in the body’s immune system, appear to offer significant benefit to patients suffering from psoriatic arthritis (PsA), a type of arthritis that affects up to 48 percent of patients with the skin disease psoriasis, according to a new review article in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (JAAOS). About 7.5 million Americans – roughly 2.2 percent of the population – have psoriasis, an autoimmune disease that causes red, flaky skin.

“Although these new immunosuppressive agents are expensive, they are the only agents that have demonstrated a decrease in radiologic progression of peripheral arthritis, and can be used to manage associated types of inflammation, as well as skin and nail disease,” said lead study author Michael S. Day, MD, MPhil, a resident orthopaedic surgeon with the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases.

PsA can range in intensity from mild, involving only a few joints, to severe, where more joints are affected and pain may be significant. In about 15 percent of patients with PsA, skin lesions appear before arthritic symptoms; however, patients with more severe psoriasis are not necessarily at greater risk for developing PsA, Dr. Day said.

“When patients in dermatology clinics are screened for evidence of inflammatory arthritis, many have evidence of joint inflammation that they did not report, suggesting that many of these patients are undiagnosed and untreated,” said study co-author, Dr. Susan M. Goodman, an assisting attending rheumatologist and internist at Hospital for Special Surgery.

Currently, initial treatments for PsA include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that reduce inflammation, pain and fever. In the near future, drugs aimed at providing more targeted therapy will allow more PsA patients to avoid progressing to end-stage arthritis and joint destruction, she added.

Similarities between PsA and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have spurred PsA researchers to consider early, aggressive treatment, an approach that has proved to be successful in RA patients.

Surgery may also be considered for patients who have joint deformities as a result of PsA, but so far there have been few large-scale, high-quality clinical trials, Dr. Day said. “The disease typically follows a moderate course, but up to 48 percent of cases develop into destructive arthritis in which the inflammatory process leads to bone erosion and loss of joint architecture,” he said.

“Initially, it was believed that PsA had a more benign course than does RA, but this belief has been disproven,” said Dr. Goodman.

Orthopaedic surgeons play a key role on the PsA treatment team. Dr. Day added that collaboration with dermatologists, rheumatologists, internists and family physicians is essential to the successful surgical treatment of PsA.

“PsA is a systemic inflammatory disease with multi-organ system effects,” said Dr. Day. “As such it should be treated with a multi-disciplinary approach.”

“Those who do progress to joint destruction may benefit from surgery, and may provide researchers with insights and further data regarding outcomes as well as the risks of surgery in this population,” Dr. Goodman said.

MLA

Vitamin D Insufficiency Prevalent Among Psoriatic Arthritis Suffers

Main Category: Arthritis / Rheumatology
Also Included In: Eczema / Psoriasis;  Nutrition / Diet
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New research reports a high prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency among patients with psoriatic arthritis. Seasonal variation in vitamin D levels was not observed in patients in southern or northern locations. The findings published in Arthritis Care & Research, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), also show no association between disease activity and vitamin D level.

Psoriasis is a common chronic skin disorder, likely caused by an autoimmune response, and is characterized by red scaly patches on the surface of the skin. When accompanied by inflammatory arthritis the condition is known as psoriatic arthritis (PsA) – a disease gaining public attention with the recent diagnosis of professional golfer, Phil Mickelson. Studies suggest that psoriasis occurs in up to 3% of the world population and roughly one third of these patients have PsA with prevalence estimates ranging from 6% to 42%.

“Vitamin D deficiency is a widespread concern,” explains lead study author Dafna Gladman, MD, FRCPC, Director of the University of Toronto Psoriatic Arthritis Clinic in Canada. “And it is more common to see individuals living in Northern regions with a deficiency in vitamin D than in those who reside in Southern areas.” Medical evidence shows that vitamin D deficiency is more common in individuals living at higher latitudes during the winter, suggesting the deficiency is a result of reduced sun exposure. Furthermore, several studies have reported reduced levels of vitamin D in patients with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and scleroderma.

The Canadian and Israeli teams set out to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in PsA patients, seasonal and geographical variants, and associations with disease activity by evaluating 302 patients with PsA from March to August 2009. There were 258 patients evaluated during the winter and 214 patients during the summer. This cross-sectional study was conducted at two geographically diverse locations; the arthritis clinic in Toronto, Canada was designated the northern site and medical centers in Haifa, Israel were selected for their subtropical southern location.

Vitamin D levels in the blood, known as 25-hydroxyvitman D [25 (OH) D], were used as the primary measure as this takes into account vitamin D synthesized from sunlight as well as from ingested foods. At the northern site, the 25 (OH) D level was insufficient in 56% of PsA patients in the winter and in 59% during the summer. Approximately 51% of patients at the southern location had insufficient 25 (OH) D levels in winter and 62% of patients had insufficient levels in the summer. The level of vitamin D was deficient in 3% of patients at the northern location only in winter; at the southern site vitamin D deficiency was reported in 4% of patients in the winter and in 1% during the summer.

Differences in patient vitamin D levels regarding seasonal or geographical variations were not statistically significant. Levels of vitamin D were not found to affect disease activity in PsA patients. However, Dr. Gladman added, “Additional research is needed to determine if PsA patients require a greater vitamin D intake to maintain healthy levels than that recommended for the general population.”

Full citation

Seasonal Variation in Vitamin D Levels in Psoriatic Arthritis Patients from Different Latitudes and its Association with Clinical Outcomes.” Zahi Touma, Lihi Eder, Devy Zisman, Joy Feld, Vinod Chandran, Cheryl F. Rosen, Hua Shen, Richard J. Cook and Dafna D. Gladman. Arthritis Care and Research; Published Online: July 11, 2011 (DOI: 10.1002/acr.20530).

Source:
Dawn Peters
Wiley-Blackwell

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As someone who has suffered with both RA and exzema since childhood i can personally atest to being in a constant state of craving sun exposure.Without it i quickly become sick again .As for vit d in tabs cant get enough of those either,eat them like candy…

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When will the medical community learn that many of the diseases of civilization can be reversed or prevent by optimum levels of vitamin D. I have lived this truth for years

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Nearly 1 In 4 People With Psoriasis May Have Undiagnosed Psoriatic Arthritis

Main Category: Eczema / Psoriasis
Also Included In: Arthritis / Rheumatology
Article Date: 14 Oct 2011 – 0:00 PDT

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If you have psoriasis or a family history of psoriasis and you are experiencing joint pain and swelling, you could have psoriatic arthritis, a serious disease that may lead to joint destruction and disability.

New research from the National Psoriasis Foundation reveals that nearly one in four people with psoriasis – the most common autoimmune disease in the country, affecting as many as 7.5 million Americans – may have undiagnosed psoriatic arthritis, a type of inflammatory arthritis that affects the joints and tendons. This is in addition to the up to 2 million people already diagnosed with the disease.

The Psoriasis Foundation study found that 22 percent of psoriasis-only participants had significant symptoms of psoriatic arthritis, such as joint pain, pain that moved from one joint to the other; joints that were hot to the touch; and swollen, sausagelike fingers and toes.

Other key findings revealed that people with psoriatic arthritis are not being diagnosed in a timely manner. Forty-four percent of these respondents said they experienced symptoms for a year or longer before being diagnosed. Nearly one in three reported a delay of two years or longer to receive diagnosis.

“It’s vital to diagnose and treat psoriatic arthritis early in order to prevent or slow joint damage. Yet, nearly 30 percent of psoriatic arthritis patients said it took more than two years for a diagnosis,” said Dr. Mark Lebwohl, chair of the National Psoriasis Foundation Medical Board.

In response to these findings, the Psoriasis Foundation Medical Board issued a set of recommendations for both people with psoriasis and medical professionals who treat them to evaluate for symptoms of psoriatic arthritis.

For people with psoriasis and/or a family history of the disease, the medical board recommends watching for the following symptoms, and if they experience one or more, to call their physician: Pain, swelling or stiffness in one or more joints; Joints that are red or warm to the touch; Frequent joint tenderness or stiffness; Sausagelike swelling in one or more of the fingers or toes; Pain in and around the feet and ankles; Changes to the nails, such as pitting or separation from the nail bed; Pain in the lower back, above the tailbone. “Up to 30 percent of people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis,” said Dr. Elaine Husni, a rheumatologist and psoriatic arthritis expert with the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. “These guidelines could help millions of Americans with psoriasis recognize the signs of psoriatic arthritis early, so they can seek medical attention for a diagnosis and begin treatment. If untreated, the joint damage can be disabling.”

Additionally, the findings show that psoriatic arthritis significantly impacts quality of life: 63 percent say they are unable to be as active as they once were, nearly half (47 percent) say the disease impacts their ability to work, 34 percent report difficulty getting in and out of a car and 34 percent have stiffness for more than two hours after waking.

About the study

The National Psoriasis Foundation conducted interviews with 477 people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis by phone (202) and online (275) from April 13 to May 4, 2011. Sixty-two percent of the respondents had moderate to severe psoriasis.

About psoriatic arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis, a type of inflammatory arthritis that affects the joints and tendons, occurs in up to 30 percent of people with psoriasis – the most common autoimmune disease in the country, affecting as many as 7.5 million Americans. People with mild psoriasis are just as likely to develop psoriatic arthritis as those with moderate to severe forms of the disease. Symptoms of psoriatic arthritis include generalized fatigue; tenderness, pain and swelling of the tendons; swollen fingers and toes; joints that are hot to the touch; and reduced range of motion.

MLA

Milestone Psoriasis And Psoriatic Arthritis Legislation Introduced In Congress – Eczema.

Main Category: eczema / Psoriasis
Also Included In: Arthritis / Rheumatology
Article Date: 27 May 2011 – 1:00 PDT window.fbAsyncInit = function() { FB.init({ appId: ‘aa16a4bf93f23f07eb33109d5f1134d3′, status: true, cookie: true, xfbml: true, channelUrl: ‘http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/scripts/facebooklike.html’}); }; (function() { var e = document.createElement(‘script’); e.async = true; e.src = document.location.protocol + ‘//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js’; document.getElementById(‘fb-root’).appendChild(e); }()); email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

Federal investment and research into psoriasis, the nation’s most prevalent autoimmune disease, affecting as many as 7.5 million Americans, and psoriatic arthritis, a related joint condition affecting up to 30 percent of people with psoriasis, received significant advances with the introduction of psoriatic disease legislation in Congress today.

The Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Research, Cure, and Care Act of 2011 (PPARCCA), championed by the National Psoriasis Foundation and its advocates, highlights the seriousness of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and advances the nation’s efforts to cure these diseases. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) introduced the bill in the Senate and Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-Pa.6th) introduced it in the House of Representatives with support from Rep. Charles Gonzalez (D-Texas.20th).

“This is a bipartisan, common-sense approach to advancing groundbreaking research, which could provide relief to millions of Americans coping with the profound physical and mental health effects of psoriasis,” Gerlach said. “I am pleased to work with my House colleagues and the National Psoriasis Foundation on solutions that will reduce the estimated $11.25 billion per year health care cost burden attributed to psoriasis.”

Psoriasis is a chronic, genetic disease of the immune system that appears on the skin. People with psoriasis are at increased risk for other serious conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity and depression. Psoriatic arthritis, which affects an estimated 1 to 2 million people in the U.S., causes pain, swelling and stiffness of the joints.

In 2009, for the first time, Congress allocated $1.5 million to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to launch the first national psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis data collection effort. The newly introduced legislation allows the CDC to continue this project, examining prevalence rate, age of onset, natural history of the disease and associated health risks, among other factors-all of which will help unlock mysteries surrounding these diseases and may lead to better treatments and a cure.

Specifically, PPARCCA:

- Authorizes $1.5 million to be appropriated to the CDC for each fiscal year from 2012 through 2017 for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis data collection;

- Recognizes psoriasis as a serious autoimmune disease and identifies the connection between psoriasis and a range of associated diseases;

- Encourages the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to work with the National Psoriasis Foundation and other stakeholders on convening a multidisciplinary meeting to discuss future directions of research into psoriasis and its associated health risks;

- Suggests that the meeting’s organizers share with the public, Congress and relevant policymaker/research groups a report on its findings;

- Encourages NIH to consider developing a virtual “center of excellence” to share and leverage information on psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis across disciplines, and to emphasize collaborative psoriatic disease research.

“While we know more about psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis than ever before, many unknowns remain. Federal data collection is an important step to closing the gap between what we know and what we don’t know,” said Randy Beranek, National Psoriasis Foundation president and CEO. “The first $1.5 million to study psoriatic disease at a national level was a landmark achievement. This legislation builds on that momentum and brings us closer toward a cure.”

“Having psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis creates tremendous financial, physical and emotional burdens for millions of Americans,” said Rick Seiden, chair of the Psoriasis Foundation Board of Trustees. “As an individual with psoriatic arthritis who is greatly concerned about patients’ risk for other serious diseases linked to psoriasis, I am proud that Congress recognizes these negative impacts and the need for collaborative research and increased funding.”

Nearly 200 people affected by psoriatic disease will advocate in Washington, D.C., on June 7 with the National Psoriasis Foundation to urge lawmakers to co-sponsor this important legislation.

Source:
National Psoriasis Foundation

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NICE Recommends Golimumab For The Treatment Of Psoriatic Arthritis :- Eczema.

Main Category: Arthritis / Rheumatology
Also Included In: eczema / Psoriasis
Article Date: 18 Mar 2011 – 0:00 PDT window.fbAsyncInit = function() { FB.init({ appId: ‘aa16a4bf93f23f07eb33109d5f1134d3′, status: true, cookie: true, xfbml: true, channelUrl: ‘http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/scripts/facebooklike.html’}); }; (function() { var e = document.createElement(‘script’); e.async = true; e.src = document.location.protocol + ‘//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js’; document.getElementById(‘fb-root’).appendChild(e); }()); email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued final draft guidance recommending golimumab (Simponi, Merck Sharpe & Dohme) for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis.

Additional information from the manufacturer, considered by the independent Appraisal Committee following a consultation on its earlier draft recommendation, suggests that golimumab may be added to the list of treatment options already recommended by NICE for this condition.

Specifically, golimumab is recommended as an option for the treatment of active and progressive psoriatic arthritis in adults if it is used as described for the other tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor treatments – etanercept, infliximab and adalimumab – covered by NICE technology appraisal 1991. The recommendation of golimumab for use within the NHS is also dependent on the patient access scheme agreed between the manufacturer and the Department of Health, whereby the manufacturer provides both of the available doses of golimumab (50 mg and 100 mg) to the NHS at the cost of the 50 mg dose.

Dr Carole Longson, Health Technology Evaluation Centre Director at NICE, said: “We already recommend three TNF inhibitor treatments for psoriatic arthritis that has not responded to first-line treatment. We’re glad that extra information from the manufacturer has meant that our Appraisal Committee now feels confident in recommending golimumab as a fourth treatment option. We recognise that patients may welcome the option of a self-injectable treatment that only has to be administered once a month.”

The final draft guidance is now with consultees, who have the opportunity to appeal against it. NICE has not yet issued final guidance to the NHS.

Notes

References

1. NICE technology appraisal 199 recommends adalimumab, etanercept and infliximab for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis when the person has peripheral arthritis with three or more swollen joints, and when the psoriatic arthritis has not responded to adequate trials of at least two standard DMARDs (administered either individually or in combination). NICE TA 199 specifies that treatment should be with the least expensive drug, taking into account drug administration costs, required dose and product price per dose.

About the appraisal

1. Golimumab (Simponi, Merck Sharpe & Dohme) is a human monoclonal antibody that prevents the binding of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) to its receptors, thereby neutralising its activity. Golimumab has a marketing authorisation for the treatment of active and progressive psoriatic arthritis (alone or in combination with methotrexate) in adults when the response to previous disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy has been inadequate.

2. Golimumab is injected subcutaneously via a pre-filled injection pen. The recommended dose is 50 mg given once a month, on the same date each month. The SPC states that in people who weigh more than 100 kg whose psoriatic arthritis does not show an adequate clinical response after three or four 50mg doses, the dose of golimumab may be increased to 100 mg once a month. The manufacturer’s submission states that the cost of golimumab is £774.58 for a 50mg pre-filled injection pen, and estimates an annual cost of £9294.96. With the agreed patient access scheme, the cost of the 100mg dose is the same as the 50mg dose. This annual cost for golimumab is very similar to the annual costs for adalimumab and etanercept. The annual cost of infliximab varies depending on the weight of the patient. Costs may vary in different settings because of negotiated procurement discounts.

Source:
NICE

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NICE Recommends Golimumab For The Treatment Of Psoriatic Arthritis : Eczema.

Main Category: Arthritis / Rheumatology
Also Included In: eczema / Psoriasis
Article Date: 18 Mar 2011 – 0:00 PDT window.fbAsyncInit = function() { FB.init({ appId: ‘aa16a4bf93f23f07eb33109d5f1134d3′, status: true, cookie: true, xfbml: true, channelUrl: ‘http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/scripts/facebooklike.html’}); }; (function() { var e = document.createElement(‘script’); e.async = true; e.src = document.location.protocol + ‘//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js’; document.getElementById(‘fb-root’).appendChild(e); }()); email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued final draft guidance recommending golimumab (Simponi, Merck Sharpe & Dohme) for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis.

Additional information from the manufacturer, considered by the independent Appraisal Committee following a consultation on its earlier draft recommendation, suggests that golimumab may be added to the list of treatment options already recommended by NICE for this condition.

Specifically, golimumab is recommended as an option for the treatment of active and progressive psoriatic arthritis in adults if it is used as described for the other tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor treatments – etanercept, infliximab and adalimumab – covered by NICE technology appraisal 1991. The recommendation of golimumab for use within the NHS is also dependent on the patient access scheme agreed between the manufacturer and the Department of Health, whereby the manufacturer provides both of the available doses of golimumab (50 mg and 100 mg) to the NHS at the cost of the 50 mg dose.

Dr Carole Longson, Health Technology Evaluation Centre Director at NICE, said: “We already recommend three TNF inhibitor treatments for psoriatic arthritis that has not responded to first-line treatment. We’re glad that extra information from the manufacturer has meant that our Appraisal Committee now feels confident in recommending golimumab as a fourth treatment option. We recognise that patients may welcome the option of a self-injectable treatment that only has to be administered once a month.”

The final draft guidance is now with consultees, who have the opportunity to appeal against it. NICE has not yet issued final guidance to the NHS.

Notes

References

1. NICE technology appraisal 199 recommends adalimumab, etanercept and infliximab for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis when the person has peripheral arthritis with three or more swollen joints, and when the psoriatic arthritis has not responded to adequate trials of at least two standard DMARDs (administered either individually or in combination). NICE TA 199 specifies that treatment should be with the least expensive drug, taking into account drug administration costs, required dose and product price per dose.

About the appraisal

1. Golimumab (Simponi, Merck Sharpe & Dohme) is a human monoclonal antibody that prevents the binding of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) to its receptors, thereby neutralising its activity. Golimumab has a marketing authorisation for the treatment of active and progressive psoriatic arthritis (alone or in combination with methotrexate) in adults when the response to previous disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy has been inadequate.

2. Golimumab is injected subcutaneously via a pre-filled injection pen. The recommended dose is 50 mg given once a month, on the same date each month. The SPC states that in people who weigh more than 100 kg whose psoriatic arthritis does not show an adequate clinical response after three or four 50mg doses, the dose of golimumab may be increased to 100 mg once a month. The manufacturer’s submission states that the cost of golimumab is £774.58 for a 50mg pre-filled injection pen, and estimates an annual cost of £9294.96. With the agreed patient access scheme, the cost of the 100mg dose is the same as the 50mg dose. This annual cost for golimumab is very similar to the annual costs for adalimumab and etanercept. The annual cost of infliximab varies depending on the weight of the patient. Costs may vary in different settings because of negotiated procurement discounts.

Source:
NICE

Note: Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional. For more information, please read our terms and conditions.

Please note that we publish your name, but we do not publish your email address. It is only used to let you know when your message is published. We do not use it for any other purpose. Please see our privacy policy for more information.

If you write about specific medications or operations, please do not name health care professionals by name.

All opinions are moderated before being included (to stop spam)

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