BMS announces Orencia helps children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) has announced results from a study which showed Orencia (abatacept) significantly improved multiple aspects of health-related quality of life in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) sufferers between the ages of six and 17 in comparison to a placebo.

The company states the improvements were maintained throughout the duration of the ten-month period, of which the first four months included an open-label lead-in period and the last six months were made up of a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

According to the firm, the results were part of a trial to determine the safety and efficacy of Orencia in youngsters with JIA who had previously failed on treatments such as biologics or methotrexate.

Lead investigator of the study Dr Daniel Lovell said health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children with JIA can be “significantly” impaired as a result of joint damage, inflammation and pain.

“Therefore, successful treatment of JIA should positively impact patient-centred outcomes in HRQoL, daily functioning and psychosocial well being,” he added.

In recent days, BMS announced “excellent” financial performance as it published its results for the third quarter of 2008.