Background Tocilizumab (TCZ) is a monoclonal antibody directed against the IL-6 receptors. This treatment (TRT) allows for the cortisone weaning in preventing of its complications.

Objectives The goal of this study is to evaluate the corticosteroid sparing in patients with RA treated with TCZ.

Methods Prospective, descriptive study of patients hospitalized between 2012 and 2016, the diagnosis was made according to the ACR 1987 ACR/EULAR 2010 criteria. Included, are the patients treated with TCZ for at least 3 months associated with corticosteroids.

We have studied the following: the epidemiology, the associated DMARDs, the average DAS28VS, the average dosage of prednisone-equivalent and the percentage of patients with decreased or interrupted corticosteroids at M0, M3, M6 and M12.

Results 26 patients (sex ratio: 0.7) treated with TCZ and corticosteroids, average age is 43.4 years (range 30–62). Average duration of the development of RA: 9.1±6.4 years. DMARDs was associated in 15 patient.

At baseline, 46.2% of patients were on 10 mg/day of cortisone, the average dose of prednisone-equivalent was at 7.7±3.6mg at M0, 5.3±3.2 mg at M3, 4.6±2.3 mg at M6, 2.6±2.6 mg at M12 with a statistically significant difference (p=0.000003). The average DASVS28 activity index was 5.6±0.9 at M0, 3.5±1.3 at M3, 3.04±1.2 at M6 and 2.6 ± M6 at M12 with a statistically significant difference (p<0.000001). Corticosteroid treatment was stopped in 12 patients after 1 year of treatment.

Conclusions Through this study we note that the TRT using TCZ has enabled a significant reduction in the dose of corticosteroids. Stopping prednisone was possible in 50% of patients after 1 year of biotherapy.

Disclosure of Interest None declared