Arthritis Research Canada at EULAR 2023
To learn about Arthritis Research Canada research presented at the EULAR European Congress of Rheumatology (Day 4), please scroll down.
Group-based trajectories of adherence to anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) agents: A population-based longitudinal study
We examined the long-term patterns of adherence to biologic drugs called anti-TNF agents used to treat inflammatory arthritis and factors associated with these patterns. We found that patients had diverse adherence trajectories over time, and factors such as prior hospitalizations were associated with changes in adherence. This study highlights the need for personalized approaches to promoting medication adherence in rheumatic disease management.
Research Team: De Vera M, Sayre EC, Rebić N
Persistent premature mortality in gout: nationwide prospective cohort study
Gout has been associated with decreased survival and we found that, despite improvements in survival for the general population, mortality has not improved for people with gout. These findings suggest there are ongoing gaps in gout care that need to be addressed.
Research Team: McCormick N, Yokose C, Lin K, Lu N, Joshi AD, Choi HK.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adherence to disease modifying drugs among patients with rheumatic diseases: A population-based, interrupted time series analysis
We examined whether mitigation measures for the COVID-19 pandemic affected adherence to disease modifying antirheumatic drugs among patients with rheumatic diseases in British Columbia. Our study showed that medication taking stayed relatively consistent 1 year before and after mitigation measures were introduced, which is good news for patients, healthcare providers, and policymakers who were concerned that the pandemic may negatively affect medication management of rheumatic diseases.
Research Team: Rebić N, Sayre EC, Law M, De Vera M
Lupus Damage Index Revision – Initial Item Reduction Phase
This international initiative is working on updating an older outcome measure, called the lupus damage index, which measure the long term permanent impact of lupus on various organs.
Research Team: Kundakci B, Barber MRW, Clarke AE, Johnson S, Bruce IN.
Outcomes and predictors of chronic immune checkpoint inhibitor induced inflammatory arthritis: data from the Canadian research group of rheumatology in immuno-oncology (CANRIO) retrospective cohort
This Canadian network, called CANRIO, studies the immune-related side-effects of new, very effective, cancer drugs that turn on the immune system’s ability to fight cancer. This study found that many of the auto-immune conditions that occur as a result of taking these medications continue on after topping the medications and become chronic. The study also found that the cancer of people who develop immune side-effects responds to the medications and they have a better chance of cure and better overall survival.
Research Team: Ladouceur A., Gonzalez Arreola L., Jamal S., Hudson M., Pope J., Hoa S., Roberts J., Moon D., Karmali A., Nevskaya T., Schmidt E., Toban N., Cho L.,Barnetche T., Ye C.
Employment trajectory of Canadian young adults with systemic lupus erythematosus
This study looked at the employment history of young adults with lupus and found that very few people transitioned into employment from non-employed states, and that there was no increase in employment with increasing age, as is usually seen in the general young adult population. This suggests it is more difficult for people with lupus to establish employment during young adulthood. Future work should focus on the barriers and facilitators for employment, to target interventions for supporting employment.
Research Team: Lim L., Konstanidis M., Touma Z., Lacaille D., Oguzoglo U., C. Peschken, N. Anderson, R. Kaur, E. Pullenayegum.
