Abstract

GARCIA MUNITIS, Pablo. Health technology assessment: rapid response report: Tocilizumab for the treatment of polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Rev. argent. reumatolg. [online]. 2018, vol.29, n.2, pp.10-15. ISSN 0327-4411.

The JIA group is constituted of rare affections which have consequences on quality of life of affected patients and in the cost for them and for health systems. The new therapy includes the use of intraarticular corticosteroids, weekly methotrexate (MTX) and the biological agents. Objective: Evaluate the evidence to prove the efficacy and security in the use of tocilizumab in patients with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA). Methods: A research was carried out on the principal bases of bibliographic data (MEDLINE, Cochrane, DARE, MHS), in generic searches of internet, in health technology evaluation agencies, and in health financers. The inclusion of systematic revisions (SR), metaanalysis, control and randomized clinical studies, practical clinical guides, health technology assessment (HTA), economic evaluation and cover policies of other health systems was given priority. Results: Thirty five references were found. Seven studies evaluated tocilizumab in pJIA, 1 SR and economic evaluation, 1 SR, 2 HTA, 2 clinical trials and 1 practice guideline were included. Conclusions: The evidence found is of high quality. The indirect comparisons suggest that their efficacy and security would be similar to etanercept, abatacept and adalimumab. It is prescribed in combination with MTX in JIA from 2 years of age in patients non responding to such treatment. It has been approved by FDA and the ANMAT. It is necessary to have studies at our disposal in order to determine the comparative efficacy among them.

Keywords : juvenile idiopathic arthritis; tocilizumab; interleukin-6.

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