Withdrawing biologics in non-systemic JIA: what matters to pediatric rheumatologists?

Janine A. van Til, Michelle M.A. Kip, Ellen J.H. Schatorjé, Gillian Currie, Marinka Twilt, Susanne M. Benseler, Joost F. Swart, Sebastiaan J. Vastert, Nico Wulffraat, Rae S.M. Yeung, C. G.M.Karin Groothuis-Oudshoorn, Sanne Warta, Deborah A. Marshall, Maarten J. IJzerman*, UCAN CAN-DU, UCAN CURE consortia

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Approximately one third of children with JIA receive biologic therapy, but evidence on biologic therapy withdrawal is lacking. This study aims to increase our understanding of whether and when pediatric rheumatologists postpone a decision to withdraw biologic therapy in children with clinically inactive non-systemic JIA. METHODS: A survey containing questions about background characteristics, treatment patterns, minimum treatment time with biologic therapy, and 16 different patient vignettes, was distributed among 83 pediatric rheumatologists in Canada and the Netherlands. For each vignette, respondents were asked whether they would withdraw biologic therapy at their minimum treatment time, and if not, how long they would continue biologic therapy. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, logistic and interval regression analysis. RESULTS: Thirty-three pediatric rheumatologists completed the survey (40% response rate). Pediatric rheumatologists are most likely to postpone the decision to withdraw biologic therapy when the child and/or parents express a preference for continuation (OR 6.3; p < 0.001), in case of a flare in the current treatment period (OR 3.9; p = 0.001), and in case of uveitis in the current treatment period (OR 3.9; p < 0.001). On average, biologic therapy withdrawal is initiated 6.7 months later when the child or parent prefer to continue treatment. CONCLUSION: Patient's and parents' preferences were the strongest driver of a decision to postpone biologic therapy withdrawal in children with clinically inactive non-systemic JIA and prolongs treatment duration. These findings highlight the potential benefit of a tool to support pediatric rheumatologists, patients and parents in decision making, and can help inform its design.

Original languageEnglish
Article number69
Pages (from-to)69
Number of pages1
JournalPediatric rheumatology online journal
Volume21
Issue number1
Early online date11 Jul 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2023

Keywords

  • Biologicals
  • Clinical vignette study
  • Decision support tool
  • Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
  • Treatment withdrawal

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