@article {Tanaka389, author = {Yoshiya Tanaka and Shintaro Hirata and Satoshi Kubo and Shunsuke Fukuyo and Kentaro Hanami and Norifumi Sawamukai and Kazuhisa Nakano and Shingo Nakayamada and Kunihiro Yamaoka and Fusae Sawamura and Kazuyoshi Saito}, title = {Discontinuation of adalimumab after achieving remission in patients with established rheumatoid arthritis: 1-year outcome of the HONOR study}, volume = {74}, number = {2}, pages = {389--395}, year = {2015}, doi = {10.1136/annrheumdis-2013-204016}, publisher = {BMJ Publishing Group Ltd}, abstract = {Objectives To investigate the possibility of discontinuing adalimumab (ADA) for 1 year without flaring (DAS28-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) >=3.2), and to identify factors enabling established patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to remain ADA-free. Methods Of 197 RA patients treated with ADA+methotrexate (MTX), 75 patients who met the ADA-free criteria (steroid-free and sustained DAS28-ESR remission for 6 months with stable MTX doses) were studied for 1 year. Results The mean disease duration and DAS28-ESR score in 75 patients was 7.5 years and 5.1 at baseline, respectively. The proportion of patients who sustained DAS28-ESR \<2.6 (48\%) and DAS28-ESR \<3.2 (62\%) for 1 year were significantly lower in the ADA discontinuation group than in the ADA continuation group; however, in patients with deep remission (DAS28-ESR <=1.98) identified by receiver operating characteristics analysis following logistic analysis, these rates increased to 68\% and 79\%, respectively, with no significant difference between both groups. Remarkably, ADA readministration to patients with flare was effective in returning DAS28-ESR to \<3.2 within 6 months in 90\% and 9 months in 100\% patients; among the patients who sustained DAS28-ESR \<3.2 during ADA discontinuation, 100\% remained in structural remission and 94\% in functional remission. Conclusions The possibility of remaining ADA-free for 1 year was demonstrated in established patients with RA with outcomes that ADA can be discontinued without flaring in 79\% patients with deep remission, with similar rates in the ADA continuation group, and showed no functional or structural damage in patients with DAS28-ESR \<3.2. ADA readministration to patients with flare during ADA discontinuation was effective.}, issn = {0003-4967}, URL = {https://ard.bmj.com/content/74/2/389}, eprint = {https://ard.bmj.com/content/74/2/389.full.pdf}, journal = {Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases} }