Profile of patients with rheumatic diseases undergoing treatment with anti-TNF agents in the Brazilian Public Health System (SUS), Belo Horizonte - MG

The aim of this study was to describe the baseline demographic and clinical characteristics as well as the functional status of a prospective cohort of patients with rheumatic diseases assisted by the Brazilian Public Health System (SUS). Data for 302 patients receiving tumor necrosis factor α inhibitors (anti-TNF agents) was collected through a standard form. Among patients, 229 (75.8%) were female and 155 (51.3%) were Caucasian; the mean age was 50.3 ± 12.8 years, and the mean disease duration was 9.9 ± 8.7 years. Among them 214 patients (70.9%) received adalimumab, 72 (23.8%) etanercept, and 16 (5.3%) infliximab. Mean Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI) was 1.37 ± 0.67 for all participants. Poor functional response was associated with female gender, married patients and with a score of &lt; 0.6 on the EuroQoL-5 dimensions (EQ-5D). Significant correlation was found between the HAQ-DI values, disease activity and quality of life (QOL). The results obtained in this study contribute to a better understanding of the clinical and demographic characteristics of patients with rheumatic diseases at the beginning of anti-TNF-agent treatment by SUS. Furthermore, our findings are consistent with another Brazilian and foreign cross-sectional investigations. This knowledge can be of great importance for further studies evaluating the effectiveness of biological agents, as well as, to contribute to improve the well-being of the patients with rheumatic diseases.O objetivo do estudo foi descrever as características demográficas e clínicas iniciais, bem como o estado funcional de uma coorte de pacientes com doenças reumáticas tratados pelo Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Dados de 302 pacientes em uso de inibidores do fator de necrose tumoral (agentes anti-TNF) foram coletados por formulário padronizado. Desses, 229 (75.8%) eram mulheres e 155 (51.3%) eram brancos; a idade média foi 50,3 ± 12,8 anos, e a duração média da doença foi de 9,9 ± 8,7 anos. Entre os pacientes 214 (70,9%) usaram adalimumabe, 72 (23,8%) etanercepte e 16 (5,3%) infliximabe. A média do Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI) foi 1,37 ± 0,67 para a população total. Pior resposta funcional estava associada com mulheres, pacientes casados e com um valor de EuroQoL-5 dimensions (EQ-5D) < 0.6. Correlação significativa foi obtida entre os valores de HAQ-DI, atividade das doenças e qualidade de vida. Os resultados obtidos no estudo contribuem para o melhor entendimento das características clínicas e demográficas de pacientes com doenças reumáticas iniciando a terapia com agentes anti-TNF pelo SUS. Além disso, nossos achados são consistentes com resultados obtidos em outros estudos transversais nacionais e estrangeiros. Este conhecimento pode ser de grande importância para estudos futuros que avaliem a eficácia de agentes biológicos, assim como, para contribuir para a melhoria do bem-estar das pessoas com doenças reumáticas