Experience with the interleukin 6 inhibitor (Olokizumab) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in real clinical practice: Influence on inflammatory activity and disease outcomes

The aim of the study was to evaluate in real clinical practice the effectiveness of therapy with an interleukin-6 inhibitor (olokizumab) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in terms of clinical and laboratory activity of the disease, as well as patient-reported outcomes (PROs).
Material and methods. 10 patients with a reliable diagnosis of RA were examined: the average age of the patients was 45.70±17.9 years, the duration of the disease was 9.0 (3.0; 12.0) years. Patients were with moderate or high disease activity: DAS28-ESR – 5.13 (4.34; 5.80) points; CDAI – 30.00 (24.00; 35.00); SDAI – 31.86 (24.36; 38,59). All patients were prescribed treatment with olokizumab (OKZ) at a dose of 64 mg subcutaneously every 4 weeks against the background of therapy with methotrexate, leflunomide, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and glucocorticoids (GC) (up to 10 mg/day in terms of prednisolone). Three patients had previously received tocilizumab (intravenously once a month at a dose of 8 mg/kg), the administration of which was discontinued for administrative reasons 6–12 months before the appointment of OKZ.
The results of treatment were assessed by the dynamics of clinical, laboratory parameters (DAS28-ESR, SDAI, СDAI, CRP, ESR, IgM RF, ACCP) and outcomes assessed by the patients themselves (PROs): HAQ-DI index, general assessment of the health status of patients (OSZB) according to VAS, pain according to VAS; scales FACIT, SF-36. As psychometric methods, the questionnaire “Type of attitude towards the disease (TOBOL)”, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Toronto Alexithymic Scale (TAS-26) were used. Observation was carried out before treatment, after 3 and 6 months of therapy.
Results. Against the background of OKZ therapy, after 3 and 6 months, compared with the baseline, there was a significant decrease in the clinical indices of RA activity: DAS28-ESR – 5.13 (4.34; 5.80), 3.53 (2.83; 4.26) and 3.48 (2.8; 4.10) points respectively; CDAI – 30.00 (24.00; 35.00), 11.00 (6.0; 16.00) and 10.0 (5.0; 15.0) points respectively; SDAI – 31.86 (24.36; 38.59), 11.05 (6.07; 16.07) and 10.17 (7.02; 15.02) points respectively; CRP – 14.30 (7.00; 24.70), 0.70 (0.40; 0.90) and 0.65 (0.20; 3.0) mg/l respectively. No significant dynamics of ESR, RF IgM and ACCP was noted.
After 3 and 6 months of treatment with OKZ, there was a significant decrease in OSZB and pain severity according to the VAS scale, and an improvement in the functional state of patients was observed according to the HAQ-DI questionnaire of fatigue indicators (FACIT-F) (p<0.05). The physical component of the SF-36 scale increased significantly only by the 6th month of therapy (p<0.01), while the mental component did not undergo significant changes (p>0.05). In the process of treatment of OKZ, the attitude of patients to the disease changed from the ergopathic, neurasthenic and sensitive components in the TOBOL profile, before it began, then by its end, the dominant ones were harmonious, ergopathic and sensitive profiles. In addition, starting from the 3rd month of treatment in patients with RA, an adaptive response to the disease prevailed. A decrease in the level of anxiety was revealed, compared with the baseline, after 3 and 6 months of observation, depression indicators did not change significantly.
Conclusion. In general, the results of this study indicate the effectiveness of ICD in RA, not only in terms of reducing the clinical and laboratory activity of the disease, but also in terms of outcomes reported by the patient himself, characterizing the quality of life and the psycho-emotional state of patients.

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