AB0446 Progressive Spacing TOCILIZUMAB Infusions after Remission in Rheumatoid Arthritis: the Absence of Erosion Would BE Determinant in Choosing This Strategy

Background Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common inflammatory rheumatic disease. Tocilizumab (TCZ) is the first therapeutic agent targeting IL-6 to be effective in RA. Recent ACR/EULAR recommendations highlighted the aim to treat RA patients quickly in order to obtain a clinical remission. However, drug therapeutic strategy for patients with prolonged remission is not well defined. Some studies suggest that dose reduction or discontinuation of biological agents can be achieved in a relevant proportion of patients with RA without loss of disease control. Objectives Our objective was to indentify predictive factors of persistent stable remission after progressive spacing infusions of TCZ in RA patients. Methods In this single centre open label study, patients were included if they fulfilled the 1987 ACR criteria for RA and if they were in remission for at least 3 months under TCZ therapy. Remission was defined by a DAS 28 ESR