THU0551 Treatment strategy study in new onset dmard naive juvenile idiopathic arthritis first results on 24 months clinical outcome

Background In rheumatoid arthritis treatment, targeted treatment has shown to improve disease outcomes including the option of drug tapering and discontinuation. In non-systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (nsJIA) this has not been tried in a trial. Objectives To investigate which of three treatment strategies, targeting at drug-free inactive disease, is most effective and safe in recent onset DMARD-naive nsJIA. Methods We conducted a randomised, multicenter, treatment strategy study with 24 months of follow up. Patients, 2–16 years old with symptom duration Results 94 children (67% girls) with a median (InterQuartile Range) age of 9.1 (4.6–12.9) years were enrolled: 32 in arms 1 and 2, 30 in arm 3. Eleven had oligo-articular JIA, n=73 polyarticular JIA and n=8 juvenile psoriatic arthritis, 37% were ANA positive. At baseline VAS physician was median (IQR) 50 39–58 mm, VAS patient 54 37–70 mm, ESR 6 (2–14) mm/hr, active joints 8, 5–12 limited joints 2.5 (1–5), and CHAQ score 0.9 (0.6–1.5). After 24 months 61% (arm 1), 63% (arm 2) and 61% (arm 3) of patients had inactive disease and 45% (arm 1) 31% (arm 2) and 38% (arm 3) had stopped all DMARD(s). Time to inactive disease (median 9.0 (6.0–12.0) months) was not significantly different between arms, nor was time to flare (18.0 (15.0–21.0) months). Adapted ACRpedi-scores were comparably high between arms. Functional ability improved and remained almost normal. Toxicity reports showed mild events in similar rates across all arms. Results after 24 months by GEE. Conclusions Treatment to target drug free inactive disease is feasible in recent onset non-systemic JIA, resulting, regardless of initial treatment, in over 60% of patients in inactive disease and 38% drug free. Disclosure of Interest None declared