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Publication summary
Efficacy of modified-release versus standard prednisone to reduce
duration of morning stiffness of the joints in rheumatoid arthritis
(CAPRA-1): a double-blind, randomised controlled trial.
Buttgereit F, Doering G, Schaeffler A, et al. Lancet 2008; 371(9608):205-14.
Background and key findings
It was proposed that by administering glucocorticoids of RA compared with baseline. However, this regimen to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients during the night, was considered to be impractical because it required instead of the usual morning dosing regimen regular waking of the patient at 2 a.m. This led to the (e.g. 6 - 8 a.m.), this may improve the risk:benefit ratio development of a modified-release (MR) formulation of this class of drugs. The theory behind this was that of prednisone which could be taken at bedtime if the glucocorticoid could be administered in the (around 10 p.m.) and, after a delay of approximately early morning hours (approximately 2 a.m.) then this 4 hours, would begin to release the active drug. would not only mimic the natural circadian rhythm of endogenous cortisol but would also allow the drug The Circadian Administration of Prednisone in to act at the most appropriate time point to prevent Rheumatoid Arthritis (CAPRA-1) Phase III study found the circadian increases of pro-inflammatory cytokine that at 12 weeks, the MR prednisone (compared with concentrations and, consequently, the morning • a significantly greater relative decrease in the duration of morning stiffness (P = 0.045); This concept was confirmed by Arvidson et al.1 who • a significantly greater relative decrease in serum demonstrated that the administration of conventional immediate-release (IR) prednisone at 2 a.m. • no clinically relevant differences in tolerability significantly improved the acute morning symptoms The CAPRA-1 study was set up to assess the efficacy and safety of a modified-release (MR) prednisone tablet compared with immediate-release (IR) prednisone in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
A total of 288 patients with active RA were randomised to receive study treatment. As is typical in RA, the patient population in this study were predominantly female (≈ 86%), of white ethnic origin (≈ 99%) and with a mean age of approximately 55 years. Around two-fifths of patients had long-standing disease with duration greater than 10 years, and a further fifth had suffered from RA for five to ten years. They also had a mean 28-joint disease activity score (DAS28) of 5.8. The majority of patients were receiving a stable dose of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs; ≈ 95%) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs; ≈ 81%). All patients had been receiving glucocorticoids for at least three months with a stable dose of 2.5 mg – 10 mg prednisone (or equivalent) for at least one month before randomisation. The mean daily dose of glucocorticoids was approximately 6.6 mg of prednisone per day (or equivalent).
This paper summary has been written and produced by Mundipharma International Limited Prescribing information is available on page 3 This was a 12-week, multicentre, randomised, double-blind, active-control ed study. Al patients were randomised to either IR prednisone given in the morning (6 – 8 a.m.) or MR prednisone given in the evening (about 10 p.m.). Patients continued on the same oral dose of prednisone that they had taken before the study (in the range of 3 – 10 mg per day). Therefore the only difference between the study arms was the time at which the prednisone was released from the respective formulations (≈ 6 – 8 a.m. for IR prednisone and ≈ 2 a.m. for MR prednisone).
Primary endpoint: Relative change from baseline in
duration of morning stiffness of the joints at the end Secondary endpoints: Recurrence of joint stiffness,
pain intensity during the day, quality of sleep, DAS28, physician’s global assessment of disease, laboratory
variables, health assessment questionnaire, disability index and SF36 scores.
Primary endpoint: After 12 weeks of treatment (last observation carried forward method), MR prednisone
resulted in a substantially greater decrease in the duration of morning stiffness than IR prednisone [mean relative
change -22.7% vs. -0.4%; least square mean difference = 22.4% (95% CI 0.49 – 44.30); P = 0.045]. The absolute
difference in the duration of morning stiffness between the treatment groups was 29·2 minutes (95% CI –2·59
to 61·9), in favour of modified-release prednisone (p=0·072). However, the study was not designed to show a
significant difference in absolute changes.
Secondary endpoints: No clinically or statistically relevant differences were noted between the two treatment
groups for secondary variables with the exception of interleukin-6 (IL-6). Serum IL-6 levels decreased with MR
prednisone [median relative change -28.6% (range -96.8 to 2018)] but remained constant with IR prednisone
[median relative change 0.0% (range -98.1 to 3017)]. The difference between the two groups at week 12 was
significant (P = 0.0322).
Figure 2: Relative changes in duration of morning stiffness of the joints from baseline over time Safety: No clinically relevant differences were observed between the tolerability profiles of MR prednisone and
IR prednisone.
Most common adverse events (occurring in 4 or more patients) MR prednisone is well tolerated, convenient to administer, and produces a clinically relevant reduction in duration of morning stiffness of the joints. This was in addition to all the well known therapeutic effects of IR prednisone.
References:1. Arvidson NG, Gudbjornsson B, Larsson A, et al. The timing of glucocorticoid administration in rheumatoid arthritis. Lodotra ® 1 mg, 2 mg and 5 mg modified release
and chronic bacterial infections; history of excretion; increased appetite; weight gain; prednisone tablets. PRESCRIBING INFORMATION. tuberculosis. Only use when necessary in patients reduced glucose tolerance; diabetes mel itus; with gastrointestinal ulcers; severe osteoporosis and/ hypercholesterolaemia; hypertriglyceridaemia; Please read the Summary of Product Characteristics or osteomalacia; difficult to control hypertension; insomnia; headache; cataract; glaucoma; striae severe diabetes mel itus; current or past psychiatric rubrae; atrophy; telangiectasia; increased capil ary Presentation Cylindrical modified release tablets
disorders; glaucoma; corneal ulcers and injuries; fragility; petechiae; ecchymoses; muscular atrophy containing prednisone, marked NP and the strength severe ulcerative colitis with imminent perforation; and weakness; osteoporosis. Other side-effects on one side. Colours: 1 mg – pale yellowish white, diverticulitis; entero-anastomoses (immediately that could be serious are: al ergic reactions; 2 mg – yellowish white, 5 mg – light yellow.
postoperative). Sleep disorder occurs more disturbed sexual hormone secretion (amenorrhoea, Indication Treatment of moderate to severe, active frequently compared with conventional IR
impotence); thyroid function disturbance; rheumatoid arthritis in adults, particularly when formulation given in the morning. Not recommended depression; euphoria; psychosis; pseudotumor for patients with galactose intolerance, Lapp lactase cerebri; latent epilepsy; increased predisposition to Dosage and administration The appropriate dose
deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption. seizures in manifest epilepsy cases; aggravation of depends on the severity of the condition and the Depending on treatment duration and the dosage, corneal ulcer symptoms; promotion of viral, fungal a negative impact on calcium metabolism must be and bacterial eye inflammations; hypertension; Adults: Initial y 10 mg once daily, with subsequent expected. Osteoporosis prophylaxis is recommended increased risk of arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, adjustment according to the patient’s response. Take and is particularly important if other risk factors are vasculitis (also as withdrawal syndrome after long- at bedtime (around 10 p.m.), with or after evening present (including familial predisposition, advanced term therapy); gastrointestinal ulcerations and meal. Active substance is released 4 – 6 hours after age, postmenopausal status, insufficient intake of haemorrhages; pancreatitis; hypertrichosis; steroid intake, with pharmacological effects starting during protein and calcium, excessive smoking, excessive acne; delayed healing of wounds; rosacea-like the night. Not to be taken in the fasted state. If alcohol consumption, reduced physical activity).
(perioral) dermatitis; changes in skin pigmentation; 2 – 3 hours have passed after the meal, take with Interactions Prednisone may interact with: cardiac
hypersensitivity reactions (e.g. drug exanthema) and a light snack. The tablets should be swal owed glycosides; saluretics/laxatives; antidiabetics; aseptic osteonecrosis (humeral and femoral head). whole and not broken, divided or chewed. Please refer to the SPC for a ful list of side-effects.
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appropriate anti-infective therapy in the presence drug reactions are: moderate leucocytosis; Date of preparation August 2010
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