CT informs detection and treatment options in rheumatoid arthritis complicated by pulmonary non-tuberculous mycobacterial disease from the FIRST registry
Authors' conclusion
CT screening before the initiation of molecular-targeted treatment enabled the detection of asymptomatic PNTM that was undetectable on plain radiographs.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) undergoing chest CT before molecular-targeted therapies, FIRST registry
- Participants
- 4,447 patients
- Exposure
- Pulmonary non-tuberculous mycobacterial (PNTM) vs non-PNTM in patients with RA starting molecular-targeted therapy
- PNTMn = 33
- Outcome
- Number of patients detected by CT as having PNTM disease complicating RA
Methodological detailsCT screening before molecular-targeted therapy
- CT screening before molecular-targeted therapy
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
PNTM disease detected by CT
- Suspected PNTM disease
- 107
- Diagnoses confirmed by culture
- 33
- Confirmed cases with no abnormalities on plain radiographs (PNTM only on CT)
- 14 of the 33
- Prevalence vs healthy individuals
- six times higher
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Retention rate and RA disease activity · 24 months
- No significant difference between PNTM and non-PNTM groups
- Coexisting PNTM disease did not affect treatment discontinuation
- 31 initiated molecular-targeted drugs with anti-NTM treatment; 28 followed up for 24 months
Safety
- Exacerbation of PNTM disease · 24 months
- 0 · events
- Exacerbation of PNTM disease: of 28 patients followed up
Original publication
CT informs detection and treatment options in rheumatoid arthritis complicated by pulmonary non-tuberculous mycobacterial disease from the FIRST registry. RMD Open. Published 12 June 2024. doi:10.
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