Effect of the early use of the anti–tumor necrosis factor adalimumab on the prevention of job loss in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Objective To compare work disability and job loss in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients receiving adalimumab plus methotrexate (adalimumab + MTX) versus MTX alone. Methods In this multicenter, randomized, controlled trial, patients with RA for P = 0.005), the primary end point was not met (12 of 75 versus 20 of 73 patients; P = 0.092), likely owing to early drop out in the MTX group. There were significant improvements in American College of Rheumatology 20% response criteria, 28‐joint Disease Activity Score, ΔHAQ, ΔRAQoL, and working time lost in the adalimumab + MTX group. Twenty‐four serious adverse events were reported in 17 participants, with no differences between groups. Conclusion Adalimumab + MTX reduced job loss and improved productivity in early RA when compared with MTX alone, which supports the early use of anti–tumor necrosis factor therapy and suggests its cost efficacy.