The purpose of this observational study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of infliximab injection under actual conditions of use in participants, and to learn more about its adverse events.
This is an observational, prospective (study following participants forward in time) study to assess safety and efficacy of infliximab injection under post-marketing use and identify problems related to adverse events in participants with ankylosing spondylitis (chronic inflammatory condition affecting the axial joints), rheumatoid arthritis (chronic systemic disease, primarily of the joints, marked by inflammatory changes in the synovial membranes and articular structures), psoriasis (scaly skin rash) and psoriatic arthritis (a type of inflammatory arthritis associated with psoriasis). Participants with rheumatoid arthritis will receive 6 doses of infliximab 3 milligram per kilogram (mg/kg) as an intravenous infusion (a fluid or a medicine delivered into a vein by way of a needle) at Week 0, 2, 6 and will be observed for 30 weeks; and those with ankylosing spondylitis, psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis will also receive 6 doses of injection and will be observed for 24 to 30 weeks. Efficacy will be evaluated by Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), swollen joint counts and tender joint count. Participants' safety will be monitored throughout the study.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
1,061
This is an observational study. Participants with RA, AS and PA receiving induction intravenous infusions (a fluid or a medicine delivered into a vein by way of a needle) of infliximab will be observed. Participants with RA will receive infliximab 3 milligram per kilogram (mg/kg) as an intravenous infusion over a 2-hour period followed by additional 3 mg/kg infusion doses at 2 and 6 weeks after the first infusion, then every 8 weeks (maintenance) thereafter up to 30 weeks. Participants with AS and PA will receive 5 mg/kg infliximab as an intravenous infusion over 2-hour period followed by additional doses at 2 and 6 weeks up to 24-30 weeks and 30 weeks, respectively.
Participants with RA will receive methotrexate based on physician's clinical judgement.
Change From Baseline in Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) at Week 30
The BASDAI is a validated self-assessment tool used to assess disease activity in participants with ankylosing spondylitis. It consists of 6 items measuring fatigue, spinal pain, joint pain, areas of localized tenderness, intensity of morning stiffness and duration of morning stiffness. First 5 items are scored on a 10 millimeter (mm) Visual Analog Scale (VAS) ranging from 0 mm=none to 10 mm=severe; and sixth item is scored on VAS ranging from 0=0 hours to 10=2 or more hours. The total BASDAI score ranges from 0 (none) to 10 (very severe).To give each symptom equal weighting, the average of the 2 scores relating to morning stiffness was taken. The resulting 0 to 50 score is divided by 5 to give a final BASDAI score. BASDAI total score = 0.2 (Item 1 + Item 2 + Item 3 + Item 4 + Item 5/2 + Item 6/2).
Time frame: Baseline and Week 30
Change From Baseline in Erythrocytic Sedimentation Rate (ESR) at Week 30
The ESR is a laboratory test that provides a non-specific measure of inflammation. It assesses the rate at which red blood cells fall in a test tube. Normal range is 0-30 mm per hour. A higher rate indicated inflammation.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 30
Change From Baseline in C-Reactive Protein (CRP) at Week 30
The CRP is acute serum protein released from liver. It is associated with low hemoglobin or erythropoetic resistance. The test for CRP is a laboratory measurement for evaluation of an acute phase reactant of inflammation through the use of an ultrasensitive assay. Normal range of CRP is less than 1 milligram per deciliter (mg/dl). A decrease in the level of CRP indicated reduction in inflammation and therefore improvement.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 30
Change From Baseline in Number of Swollen Joints at Week 30
Number of swollen joints was determined by examination of 28 joints and identifying when swelling was present. The number of swollen joints was recorded on the joint assessment form at each visit and scored on a scale ranging from 0 to 2, where 0=no swelling, 1=swelling, but bony landmarks seen and 2=swelling but bone marks not seen.
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 30
Change From Baseline in Number of Tender Joints at Week 30
Number of tender joints was determined by examination of 28 joints and identifying when tenderness was present. The number of tender joints was recorded on the joint assessment form at each visit and scored on a scale ranging from 0 to 3, where 0=no pain, 1=mild, 2= moderate and 3=severe.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 30
Change From Baseline in Participants With Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) at Week 30
The PASI is combined assessment of lesion severity and area affected into single score; range: 0=no disease to 72=maximal disease. Body is divided into 4 sections (head, arms, trunk and legs); each area is scored by itself and scores were combined for final PASI. For each section percent area of skin involved was estimated: 0 (0%) to 6 (90 - 100%), and severity was estimated by clinical signs: erythema, thickness, and scaling; scale: 0 (none) to 4 (severe). Final PASI=sum of severity parameters for each section \* area score \* weight of section (head: 0.1, arms: 0.2, body: 0.3, legs: 0.4).
Time frame: Baseline and Week 30
Overall Efficacy Assessment
The level of improvement in symptom before and after the administration of the drug was assessed as per Investigator's discretion and the overall efficacy was assessed based on this result. The level of improvement in disease was assessed in three steps: improved, unchanged and aggravated as per Investigator's discretion.
Time frame: Baseline up to Week 30
Number of Participants With Adverse Events (AEs) and Serious Adverse Events (SAEs)
An AE was any untoward medical event that occurs in a participant administered an investigational product, and it does not necessarily indicate only events with clear causal relationship with the relevant investigational product. An SAE was an AE resulting in any of the following outcomes or deemed significant for any other reason: death; initial or prolonged in-patient hospitalization; life-threatening experience (immediate risk of dying); persistent or significant disability/incapacity; congenital anomaly.
Time frame: Baseline up to Week 30
Number of Participants With Unexpected Adverse Events
Unexpected adverse events include those not listed in the approved product information and not described as precautions or warnings.
Time frame: Baseline up to Week 30
Number of Participants With Adverse Drug Reactions
Adverse drug reactions are defined as adverse events for which the Investigator had not described the causal relationship to trial medication as "not related".
Time frame: Baseline up to Week 30
Number of Participants With Adverse Events (AEs) Caused by Drug Misuse, Abuse and Drug Interaction
An AE is any untoward medical event that occurs in a participant administered an investigational product, and it does not necessarily indicate only events with clear causal relationship with the relevant investigational product. Drug abuse is defined as the use of the study drug for a non-therapeutic effect, misuse was defined as use of the study medication in a way that was not prescribed and drug interaction was defined as a chemical or physiological reaction that can occur when 2 different drugs are taken together.
Time frame: Baseline up to Week 30