ABATACEPT REDUCES FATIGUE AND PAIN SEVERITY AND SLEEP PROBLEMS THROUGH 2 YEARS IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENTS IN THE AIM AND ATTAIN TRIALS

Background: Fatigue and sleep problems are key concerns for RA patients (pts) [1]. Abatacept (ABA) has been shown to reduce fatigue, pain and sleep problems using group level analyses of the AIM (ABA in Inadequate responders to Methotrexate [MTX]) and ATTAIN (ABA Trial in Treatment of Anti-TNF INadequate responders) trials [2].Objectives: To examine patient-level reductions in fatigue, pain and sleep problems through 2 yrs in the AIM and ATTAIN trials.Methods: AIM and ATTAIN were randomized, double-blind (DB), placebo (PBO)-controlled trials of 12 and 6 months duration, respectively. Pts received a fixed dose of ABA (∼10 mg/kg, according to weight range) or PBO. Pts completing the DB phase were eligible to enroll in the long-term extension (LTE). Fatigue and pain (visual analog scale) and sleep quality (Medical Outcomes Study Sleep Scale) were assessed in pts initially randomized to ABA, who entered the LTE. Scores ranged from 0–100 (higher scores indicate increased problems).Results: The percentage of pts with severe levels of fatigue, pain (Figure) and sleep problems decreased for pts completing 2 yrs of ABA treatment. At baseline, 44, 44 and 9% of AIM pts had scores of 70–100 for fatigue, pain and sleep problems, respectively. After 2 yrs of ABA treatment, percentages were reduced to 10, 4 and 2%, respectively. These results represent a shift toward lower scores; at Yr 2, 53, 64, and 49% reported scores of 0–30 for fatigue, pain and sleep problems, respectively. A similar trend was observed in the ATTAIN trial. At baseline, 68, 58 and 13% of pts had scores of 70–100 for fatigue, pain and sleep problems, respectively. After 2 yrs of ABA treatment, percentages were reduced to 24, 9 and 4%. At Yr 2, 33, 51 and 39% reported fatigue, pain and sleep problems scores of 0–30, respectively.Conclusion: ABA treatment resulted in reductions of fatigue, pain and sleep problems through 2 yrs. By improving quality of life, ABA provides meaningful benefits to RA pts.References: 1. OMERACT 7. Available at: http://www.rheuma21st.com/archives/report_omeract7_brooks_et_al.html. Accessed Jan 07.2. Dougados M, et al. Arthritis Rheum 2006;54(suppl 9):S244.Citation: Ann Rheum Dis, volume 66, supplement II, year 2007, page 429Session: RA – other biologic treatment