Trial compares therapies for reducing cardiovascular risk among people with rheumatoid arthritis

All 115 patients in the trial had moderate or high disease activity despite being on low-dose methotrexate. Participants continued to take methotrexate and were randomized to additionally receive a TNF inhibitor (TNFi) or hydroxychloroquine and sulfasalazine (triple therapy). Both groups had statistically significant reductions in disease activity and in arterial inflammation, with no differences noted between the groups.

"Our results highlight the importance of conducting clinical trials specifically among patients with RA rather than the general population," said corresponding author Daniel H. Solomon of the Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation and Immunology. "Prior trials in the general population have shown differential effects on CV risk between different immunomodulators, but in our trial, two different immunomodulator treatment strategies produced similar reductions in CV risk."

Reference:

Solomon DH, Giles JT, Liao KP, et alReducing cardiovascular risk with immunomodulators: a randomised active comparator trial among patients with rheumatoid arthritisAnnals of the Rheumatic Diseases Published Online First: 30 November 2022. doi: 10.1136/ard-2022-223302