Rapid and sustained improvement in health-related quality of life and utility for 72 weeks in patients with ankylosing spondylitis receiving etanercept.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To examine the longterm effect of etanercept (ETN) therapy on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and utility in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

METHODS:

Patients completing a 24-week placebo-controlled trial were continued on ETN in a 72-week open-label extension study. Short Form-36 (SF-36), EuroQOL-5D (EQ-5D), and EuroQOL visual analog scale (EQ-VAS) scores were collected at open-label baseline and every 12 weeks thereafter. Mental and physical component scores (MCS and PCS) of the SF-36, EQ-5D and SF-6D utility scores, and quality-adjusted life-years (QALY) were calculated.

RESULTS:

257 patients [129 previous placebo (PLA) and 128 ETN recipients] enrolled in this open-label extension study, and 85% completed the 72-week followup. PCS, EQ-5D and SF-6D utilities, and EQ-VAS were significantly lower at open-label baseline in the previous PLA group (PLA/ETN group) than in the previous ETN group (ETN/ETN group; all p < 0.001). At week 12, PCS and MCS, EQ-5D and SF-6D utility scores, and EQ-VAS were similar in the PLA/ETN and ETN/ETN groups. As expected, mean change in EQ-5D in the PLA/ETN group was significantly greater than that for SF-6D (0.18 vs 0.06; p < 0.0001). HRQOL and utility improvements were maintained in both groups for up to 72 weeks. The average 72-week QALY gain per person in the PLA/ETN group was 0.24 and 0.10 for EQ-5D and SF-6D, respectively.

CONCLUSION:

Patients continuing ETN therapy sustained HRQOL and utility improvements attained during the original PLA-controlled trial. Patients previously taking PLA showed rapid and sustained improvements in HRQOL and utility and substantial QALY gain with ETN therapy.

• Authors: Annelies Boonen, Vaishali Patel, Shana Traina, Chiun-Fang Chiou, Andreas Maetzel, Wayne Tsuji
• Journal: The Journal of rheumatology (J Rheumatol) Vol. 35 Issue 4 Pg. 662-7 (Apr 2008) ISSN: 0315-162X [Print] Canada
• PMID: 18278836 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antirheumatic Agents
• Immunoglobulin G
• Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
• Etanercept

Topics

• Adult
• Antirheumatic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Disability Evaluation
• Double-Blind Method
• Etanercept
• Female
• Humans
• Immunoglobulin G (therapeutic use)
• Male
• Quality of Life
• Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor (therapeutic use)
• Severity of Illness Index
• Spondylitis, Ankylosing (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Treatment Outcome