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  • What We're Working On
Comparing Risks and Benefits of Different Treatments for Inflammatory Arthritis
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Scientific Study Title:
Comparing the Risk of Adverse Events Associated with Different Classes of Biologic or Targeted Synthetic Agents: A Population-based Study
Start Date:
  • 2023
End Date:
  • 2025
Research Category
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Why do this research?

The results of treatment for inflammatory arthritis (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), psoriatic arthritis (PsA)) with new medications, known as biologics and targeted synthetic medications, have been impressive. These medications are remarkably effective at reducing inflammation, relieving symptoms, and preventing joint damage and long-term complications. Many different types of these medications that work in different ways – known as different ‘classes’ – are now available. Choosing between them can be difficult for clinicians and patients because little information is available that directly compares the risks and benefits of different medications or their use in real-life clinical care.

What will be done?

We will compare the risks and benefits of different classes of biologic and targeted synthetic drugs by looking at everyone in British Columbia who has been prescribed these medications for rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis or psoriasis. To do this, we will use advanced statistical methods to analyze data regularly collected by the BC Ministry of Health, with information identifying persons removed, and we will compare how often people using different classes of medications have infections requiring hospitalization, heart attacks, strokes and clots in the veins.

The list of medications included in the study can be found in the table below. As drugs typically have both official technical names and easier-to-say brand names, we have included both names for each drug.

By providing real-world evidence comparing the different treatments available, this study will help clinicians and people with inflammatory arthritis better weigh risks and benefits and make more informed decisions about their treatment options.

The Research Team

Principal Investigator

  • Diane Lacaille, MDCM, MHSc, FRCPC, Scientific Director, Arthritis Research Canada (University of British Columbia)

Co-Investigator(s)

  • Hui Xie, BSc, MS, PhD, Research Scientist, Arthritis Research Canada (Simon Fraser University)
  • J. Antonio Avina-Zubieta, MD, MSc, PhD, FRCPC , Senior Scientist, Arthritis Research Canada (University of British Columbia)

Research Staff

  • Yufei Zheng, MSc , Statistician, Arthritis Research Canada

Trainee

  • Kasra Moolooghy, MD, MSc Candidate , Research Trainee, Arthritis Research Canada (University of British Columbia)

How Can People Get Involved?

Everyone in BC who has used a biologic or targeted medication for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis or psoriasis. This will include approximately 24,000 people.

The project will use data already collected, so we are not asking people to participate.

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