AB0281 Remission Rates During Golimumab Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis Are Associated with Differences in Baseline Disease States Across Geographic Regions in the Go-More Study

Background Regional differences in practice patterns and access to biologic treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may lead to regional differences in baseline disease characteristics, which could influence response to biologic treatments. Objectives To compare across several geographic regions the baseline disease levels and remission rates among biologic-naïve RA patients during 6 months of add-on golimumab (GLM) treatment. Methods GO-MORE was an open-label, multinational, prospective study in biologic-naïve patients with active RA (DAS28-ESR ≥3.2) despite nonbiologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug treatment. Patients received 50-mg SC GLM once monthly for 6 months. In post hoc analyses, baseline disease activity, disease duration, and DAS28-ESR remission rates were evaluated across 6 geographic regions. Results Baseline disease activity varied across regions (table), with high EULAR disease activity most prevalent in South Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Disease duration was longest in Latin America and South Africa. Overall, after 6 months of GLM treatment, DAS28-ESR remission rate was approximately 25%. Remission rates varied substantially by region, with lower remission rates generally found in the regions with the greatest initial disease activity and disease duration, with the exception of South Africa. Regardless of geographic region, patients with moderate baseline disease activity were more likely to achieve remission than those with high baseline disease activity (43.4% and 18.5%, respectively, P<0.001). Conclusions After 6 months of GLM treatment, patients in South Africa, Europe, and the Middle East had higher remission rates than those in Latin America and Asia. This pattern may be due to differences in baseline disease activity and duration, which may reflect differences in practice patterns and access to biologic treatments. Overall, patients with moderate baseline disease activity were more likely to achieve remission than those with high baseline disease activity. Disclosure of Interest P. Durez: None Declared, K. Pavelka Consultant for: Amgen, Roche, BMS, MSD, and UCB, M. Lazaro Grant/research support from: Bristol Meyers Squibb Argentina, Consultant for: Abbott Laboratories, A. Garcia Kutzbach: None Declared, R. Moots: None Declared, H. Amital : None Declared, R. Yao Employee of: Merck, M. Govoni Employee of: Merck, N. Vastesaeger Employee of: Merck, H. Weng Employee of: Merck