ARCTIC REWIND

10-year follow-up of patients with rheumatoid arthritis who received structured treatment-to-target therapy in the early disease phase.

Project managers

Professor | Center director REMEDY

Espen A. Haavardsholm, specialist in rheumatology | PhD

Senior researcher | Vice Director REMEDY

Senior researcher Siri Lillegraven, MD PhD

Post doc

Specialist in rheumatology | PhD

Nina Paulshu's Sundliseater

PhD fellow

Doctor in specialization

Kaja Kristiane Eriksrud Kjørholt

Nurse

Karen Holten

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease affecting 0.5-1% of the population. The disease is characterized by joint lifts and joint pain, which can lead to joint damage and reduced functional level. Using modern treatment strategies, which include disease -modifying drugs, good disease control without signs of inflammation has become an achievable measure of an ever -increasing number of people. However, there has been no professional agreement or clear guidelines for how this group should be treated further; Should one continue with a stable dose of medication, or step down and possibly end treatment?

Arctic Rewind is a randomized controlled multi -center study where the main goal is to investigate whether a strategy in which the disease -modifying treatment is reduced and possibly discontinued is not inferior to still stable treatment when it comes to taking care of good disease control. In addition, the study will provide sought -after data for research on more personalized treatment.

WHO CAN JOIN?

The study included adults with rheumatoid arthritis where there had been no signs of activity in the disease last 12 months. Both recruitment and follow -up of the included have been completed.

WHAT DOES THE STUDY INCLUDE?

In one study arm, the treatment was stepped down and possibly discontinued, in the other, participants continued unchanged treatment. Both groups were followed with regular checks every 4 months for 3 years with thorough mapping of signs of flare -up of activity in the disease (clinical examination, blood tests and patient -reported outcome measures), as well as registration and handling of potential side effects. In addition, ultrasound examination, x -ray of hands and feet, was carried out by dominant hand and biobank.

The study was divided into two; One part included people who used synthetic disease-modifying treatment, the other included people who used biological drugs (TNF inhibitors).