Improvement and longterm maintenance of quality of life during treatment with adalimumab in severe rheumatoid arthritis

Objective. In patients with longstanding severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) receiving chronic treatment with adalimumab, health related quality of life (HRQOL) was assessed using new instruments [Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue scale (FACIT-Fatigue) and Health Utilities Index Mark 3 (HUI3)] and a more conventional instrument [Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36)]. Methods. Different measures for collecting patient-reported outcomes were applied simultaneously during the 3-year study period. Sociodemographic and medical history data were assessed at the baseline visit. Clinical examinations (e.g., joint examination and morning stiffness), disease assessments, and HRQOL data were recorded every 8 weeks. For dichotomous and categorical variables, absolute and relative frequencies were calculated. Metric measures were described using mean and standard deviation and/or standard error of the mean. HRQOL data were analyzed using observed cases. Results. All assessed measures (FACIT-Fatigue, HUI3, SF-36) showed a rapid and statistically significant improvement from baseline following initiation of adalimumab therapy. This effect was maintained over the study period for a mean of 1.6 years in all applied measures. HRQOL data from all tested instruments were significantly correlated with each other. Conclusion. Chronic therapy with adalimumab improved measures of fatigue and HRQOL in patients with longstanding RA.