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Early Combination Of Enbrel(R) (etanercept) And Methotrexate Halts Radiographic Progression In 90% Of Patients During Second Year Of The COMET Study

New data presented this week during the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Annual Meeting in Copenhagen demonstrated that sustained combination therapy (etanercept and methotrexate) was consistently superior to continuous methotrexate monotherapy in providing clinical remission and radiographic non-progression over two years in patients with early active rheumatoid arthritis.1 These new data add to the body of evidence supporting the benefits of early intervention with a biologic treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

The new data from the COMET (COmbination of Methotrexate and ETanercept in Active Early Rheumatoid Arthritis) study show the percentage of patients in clinical remission after two years was significantly greater in the continued combination therapy (EM/EM) and delayed combination therapy groups (M/EM), than in the continued methotrexate monotherapy group (M/M) - 57% and 58% vs 35% (p<0.01) respectively1. Radiographic non-progression was achieved by a significantly greater percentage in the EM/EM group (90% p<0.001) compared with the continued methotrexate monotherapy group (68% M/M)1. The continued combination therapy patients (EM/EM) achieving clinical remission over the two year period experienced an almost two-fold improvement in quality of life as measured using the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ).

Professor Paul Emery, lead COMET trial investigator and Professor of Rheumatology, University of Leeds, UK, said: "These study results indicated that when treating moderate-to-severe RA with etanercept, clinical remission is achievable and, as such, should be a primary treatment goal. These data highlight the importance of treating early with etanercept which can help stop progressive joint damage and provide the opportunity to maintain quality of life."

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/153987.php

[QUOTE=Lynn49]

These data highlight the importance of treating early with etanercept which can help stop progressive joint damage and provide the opportunity to maintain quality of life."

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/153987.php

[/QUOTE]
I just do not think it can be said often enough or in too many ways HOW important EARLY and aggressive treatment truly is for "quality of life". I make no apology for repeating the statement. After all, right now I could be the poster woman for postponing/delaying early aggressive treatment and the woes that decision can bring in its wake.
Early, aggressive treatment and "tight control" is my mantra when it comes to RA...Thanks for reminding me Shug,  how important it is to keep saying this Thanks Lynn - you can never post enough articles on the outcomes that can happen when treatment is early and aggressive.  I believe that's why I'm still able to work fulltime and feel pretty good.   At my last visit, I had only had one joint that was tender, so it's working for me.!! [QUOTE=CathyMN] At my last visit, I had only had one joint that was tender, so it's working for me.[/QUOTE]
Great news! Thanks for sharing your success with us. I am always thrilled when I read of folks gaining that "tight control" Lynn speaks of.

Cheers!


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