The longitudinal effect of biologic use on patient outcomes (disease activity, function, and disease severity) within a rheumatoid arthritis registry.

ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT01793103 Key Points • Biologics effectively manage symptoms and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but their long-term effects remain unclear. • In this analysis of longitudinal annual population samples of 1395 RA patients in the Brigham and Women's Rheumatoid Arthritis Sequential Study (BRASS) registry, disease activity, function, and severity scores improved as time on biologic therapy increased. • In repeated measures regression models, time on biologic therapy was a significant predictor of improved outcomes for disease activity, function, and RA severity. • Further studies should examine whether earlier initiation of biologics limits the long-term effect of inflammation on RA outcomes.