OBJECTIVES

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and atherosclerosis share many common inflammatory pathways. We studied whether a multi-biomarker panel for RA disease activity (MBDA) would associate with changes in arterial inflammation in an interventional trial.

METHODS

In the TARGET Trial, RA patients with active disease despite methotrexate were randomly assigned to the addition of either a TNF inhibitor or sulfasalazine+hydroxychloroquine (triple therapy). Baseline and 24-week follow-up [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose-PET/CT scans were assessed for change in arterial inflammation measured as the maximal arterial target-to-blood background ratio of FDG uptake in the most diseased segment of the carotid arteries or aorta (MDS-TBRmax). The MBDA test, measured at baseline and weeks 6, 18 and 24, was assessed for its association with the change in MDS-TBRmax.

RESULTS

Interpretable scans were available at baseline and week 24 for 112 patients. The MBDA score at week 24 was significantly correlated with the change in MDS-TBRmax (Spearman's rho = 0.239; P = 0.011) and remained significantly associated after adjustment for relevant confounders. Those with low MBDA at week 24 had a statistically significant adjusted reduction in arterial inflammation of 0.35 units vs no significant reduction in those who did not achieve low MBDA. Neither DAS28-CRP nor CRP predicted change in arterial inflammation. The MBDA component with the strongest association with change in arterial inflammation was serum amyloid A.

CONCLUSION

Among treated RA patients, achieved MBDA predicts changes in arterial inflammation. Achieving low MBDA at 24 weeks was associated with clinically meaningful reductions in arterial inflammation, regardless of treatment.