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.

Trial registration: Trial registration number and date of registration: As per the local regulations the study has been registered at the national registry for non-interventional studies https://www.dilon.sfee.gr/studiesp_d.php?meleti_id=MK8259-6083 .