Monday, September 16, 2013

Blog Pioglitazone and Rheumatoid Arthritis



Recently I’ve read: M.J. Ormseth and colleagues: “Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma agonist effect on rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized controlled trial.” (Arthritis Res Ther. 2013 Sep 10;15(5):R110. [Epub ahead of print] / http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24020899). Methods: “In a single center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study patients with RA (n = 34) receiving stable therapy were randomized to also receive either pioglitazone 45 mg daily (n = 17) or matching placebo (n = 17) for 8 weeks.” I haven’t seen a primary endpoint. The conclusion: “Addition of pioglitazone to RA therapy improves insulin resistance and modestly reduces RA disease activity measured by DAS28 CRP and two of its components including patient-reported global health, and CRP; but not DAS28 ESR or ESR.”
Now, I’ve reread the abstract the same authors published in 2012. Methods: “In a single center, randomized, double blind, placebocontrolled cross-over trial of 20 weeks duration, patients with RA (n_34) and moderate disease activity receiving stable disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug therapy were randomized to receive either pioglitazone 45mg daily (n_17) or matchingplacebo (n_17) for 8 weeks in addition to current therapy.“ And the conclusion: “The addition of pioglitazone to current RA treatment improves insulin resistance and modestly reduces RA disease activity measured by DAS28 CRP and CRP levels.”
So, we don’t have a new study and repeating an old study doesn’t make it more convincing.

I’d like to quote myself:
“Addendum 06.03.2013:
France had withdrawn the approval of pioglitazone because of the increased incidence of bladder cancer. Another problem is the increase of bone loss. This might reduce even more the handiness in treating patients who are already at a risk for bone loss. http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.1517/14740331003623218
I'll keep it on my list, though I think that Takeda is looking for a new playground for pioglitazone.”


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