Improvements in productivity and increased participation in daily activities over 52 weeks of certolizumab pegol treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: results of a Belgian observational study

Objectives: To report changes in productivity and social participation - alongside clinical and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) - in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) receiving certolizumab pegol (CZP) during routine clinical practice in Belgium. Methods: This was a prospective, non-interventional study, in which patients were prescribed CZP at their physicians' discretion and followed during routine clinical visits. The primary outcomes were household productivity and social participation at the last visit (~52 weeks), measured through responses to the Work Productivity Survey. Secondary outcomes included workplace productivity and achievement of DAS28(ESR) clinical response, low disease activity and remission at the last visit. Baseline demographics and adverse events (AEs) were recorded for all patients who received ≥1 dose CZP. Results: A total of 141 patients were enrolled in the study, of whom 119 (84.4%) formed the full analysis set (received ≥1 dose CZP and had ≥1 post-baseline measurement for ≥1 primary outcome). At Visit 1 (baseline), patients reported an average of 11.0 paid work days, 16.8 household work days and 5.5 days of social participation affected by their disease over the previous month. Rapid improvements in household productivity and social participation were evident from Visit 2 (2-8 weeks). By the final visit, mean improvements were observed for all aspects of productivity, participation and clinical/PROs. A total of 24 AEs were reported. Conclusion: CZP has a positive impact on productivity and social participation in patients with RA in the Belgian daily practice setting, with safety and efficacy profiles that mirror those observed in the trial setting.