Persistence of Janus-kinase (Janus kinase (JAK)) inhibitors in rheumatoid arthritis: Australia wide study
Authors' conclusion
In a real-world setting, we showed highest persistence rates on upadacitinib, followed by baricitinib and then TNFi therapy and was improved by co-therapy. All agents appeared to be corticosteroid sparing.
Study context
- Population
- Australian rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients aged ≥18 years initiating a DMARD between 2011 to 2021females n=3,181 [70.4%]
- Participants
- 4,521 patients
- Exposure
- Persistence of JAKi vs other b/tsDMARDs
- Upadacitinibn = 574
- Baricitinibn = 553
- Outcome
- Persistence (discontinuation defined as 6 months gap after the end of a drug dispensing)
- Follow-up
- 12 months
Methodological detailsKaplan-Meier analysis, Services Australia 10% Pharmaceuticals Benefits Scheme (PBS) dataset
- Kaplan-Meier analysis
- Services Australia 10% PBS dataset
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
12-month persistence rate
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | Values |
|---|---|
| Median treatment persistence | Upadacitinib median not reached · Baricitinib median not reached · Tofacitinib median 15.0 (95% CI 13.5–19.5) months · TNFi median 20.5 (95% CI 19.0–22.4) months · Tocilizumab median 19.1 (95% CI 17.9–23.6) months · Abatacept median 12.5 (95% CI 10.4–14.9) months |
| Persistence rate, first-line treatment | Upadacitinib 68% · Baricitinib 68% · Tofacitinib 55% · TNFi 49% · Abatacept 55% · Tocilizumab 57% |
| Persistence rate, second-line treatment | Baricitinib 59% · Abatacept 47% |
Persistence rate, second-line treatment
- Rates sustained for upadacitinib, TNFi and tocilizumab
Persistence with MTX or other csDMARD co-therapy
- For each b/tsDMARD, persistence rates higher when combined with MTX or other csDMARDs
Median oral GC dose · over 2 years
- Decreased from 4.3 mg/day (range:0-40) to 2.3 mg/day (range:0-22)
- Changes significant for all RA DMARDs, tofacitinib and baricitinib combined (1-2 years post initiation only), TNFi, abatacept and tocilizumab
Original publication
Persistence of Janus-kinase (JAK) inhibitors in rheumatoid arthritis: Australia wide study. Semin Arthritis Rheum. Published 24 November 2023. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →