9
Table 6. Specific Patient Populations
Recommendations
Certainty of
Evidence
Persistent Hypogammaglobulinemia without Infection
In the setting of persistent hypogammaglobulinemia without
infection, continuation of rituximab therapy for patients at target is
conditionally recommended over a switch to a different bDMARD
or tsDMARD.
Very low
Previous Serious Infection
For patients with a serious infection within the previous 12 months,
who have moderate to high disease activity despite csDMARD
monotherapy, addition of csDMARDs are conditionally
recommended over addition of a bDMARD or tsDMARD.
Very low
For patients with a serious infection within the previous 12 months,
who have moderate to high disease activity, addition/switch of
DMARDs is conditionally recommended over initiation/dose
escalation of glucocorticoids.
Very low
Nontuberculous Mycobacterial (NTM) Lung disease
For patients with NTM lung disease, use of the lowest possible dose
of glucocorticoids (discontinuation if possible) is conditionally
recommended over continuation of glucocorticoids.
Very low
For patients with NTM lung disease, who have moderate to high
disease activity despite csDMARD monotherapy, addition of
csDMARDs is conditionally recommended over addition of a
bDMARD or tsDMARD.
Very low
For patients with NTM lung disease, who have moderate to high
disease activity despite csDMARDs, abatacept is conditionally
recommended over other bDMARDs and tsDMARDs.
Very low
(cont'd)