Biological DMARDs in Elderly RA Patients: Use, Maintenance & Discontinuation

According to the authors, this is the first study comparing persistence and discontinuation reasons in elderly RA patients using bDMARDs. Past research has shown similar results in this population and younger populations. Additionally, in patients with TNFi failure, both tocilizumab and abatacept have shown similar improvement in clinical disease activity and drug retention rates.

Michele B. Kaufman, PharmD, BCGP, is a freelance medical writer based in New York City and a pharmacist at New York Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital.

References

Ebina K, Hashimoto M, Yamamoto W, et al. Drug tolerability and reasons for discontinuation of seven biologics in elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis—the ANSWER cohort study. PLoS One. 2019 May 8;14(5):e0216624.

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