The effects of golimumab on work productivity and quality of life among work-active axial spondyloarthritis and psoriatic arthritis patients treated in the routine care in Greece: the 'GO-UP' study

Purpose To examine the impact of golimumab, on work productivity, activity limitation, and quality of life (QoL) in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Methods This real-world, multicenter, prospective study consecutively enrolled adult consented work-active patients with axSpA or PsA, newly initiated on golimumab as per the approved label. Prior receipt of > 1 prior biologic, or switching from another tumor-necrosis factor inhibitor due to primary non-response or safety reasons was not allowed. The Work Productivity and Activity Impairment-Specific Health Problem and the EuroQol 5-Dimensions (EQ-5D)-5-Level instruments were completed by the patients to assess the impact of golimumab on work productivity and activity impairment, and generic QoL, respectively. Results Overall, 121 eligible patients (mean age: 45.4 years; median disease duration: 11.3 months), 51 diagnosed with PsA and 70 with axSpA, were enrolled by 19 rheumatologists. Over a 11.9-month median observation period, < 1% of injections were missed (as collected by patient diaries), and the 12-month golimumab retention rate was 91.7%. At 3, 6, and 12 months post baseline, in the overall population, work productivity loss improved by a median of 31.4%, 44.2%, and 50.0%; activity impairment improved by 40.0%, 40.0%, and 50.0%; and the EQ-5D UK-weighted utility index improved by 0.24, 0.32, and 0.36 points, respectively (p < 0.001 for all). Statistically significant improvements in these measures were also noted in the PsA and axSpA subpopulations. Conclusion In the routine care in Greece, golimumab displays beneficial effects on work productivity, daily activities, and QoL in work-active patients with axSpA and PsA.

Automated summary

The study demonstrated that golimumab has beneficial effects on work productivity, activity limitation, and quality of life in patients with axSpA and PsA. Significant improvements were observed in these areas.