Predicting Successful Tapering of Biologic Therapy for Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis in Remission – Why are we still using clinical remission criteria to inform decisions?

Remission is the optimum treatment target for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. With the advent of biologic therapies, and the use of treat to target strategies, many more patients are achieving remission. Once a patient has achieved a period of sustained remission, there is little to guide subsequent management and patients usually continue treatment long-term. This may be inappropriate. Recent evidence suggests that some patients may be able to reduce or even stop therapy however, the ideal patient profile is yet to be determined. Potential predictors have been identified, however have not entered routine clinical practice. There is a need for robust biomarkers to facilitate the prediction of successful tapering.