Baricitinib and tofacitinib in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: results of regular clinical practice

Farm Hosp. 2021 Jun 1;45(4):165-169. doi: 10.7399/fh.11586.

Abstract

Objective: Main objective: Describe the effectiveness and safety of baricitinib and tofacitinib in patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in our hospital.

Secondary objective: Analyse whether there are differences between the two drugs in routine clinical practice.

Method: Two-year retrospective study of patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis treated in our hospital with baricitinib and tofacitinib for at least 6 months. Databases: Electronic medical record and outpatient medication dispensing software. Variables collected: Demographic variables, poor prognosis factors, previous treatment, duration of treatment, concomitant treatment, DAS28, number of swollen and painful joints, pain visual analogy scale, treatment discontinuation, and adverse reactions. Effectiveness evaluation: Decreases in the DAS28 scale, the number of swollen and painful joints, and the pain Visual Analogy Scale at 6 months and 12 months after starting treatment. Safety evaluation: Detection of adverse reactions.

Statistical analysis: Student t- test.

Results: A total of 44 patients were evaluated. Of these, 20 (70% women) received treatment with baricitinib and 24 (95.8% women) received tofacitinib. Baricitinib reduced the DAS28 by 2.3 and 1.7 at 6 months and 12 months, respectively, and tofacitinib reduced the scale by 2 and 1.9 at 6 months and 12 months, respectively. Baricitinib reduced the number of swollen and painful joints by 7 at both 6 months and 12 months, and tofacitinib reduced the number of swollen and painful joints by 4 and 6 at 6 months and 12 months, respectively. Baricitinib reduced the Visual Analogy Scale score by 7.8 and 6.8 at 6 months and 12 months, respectively, and tofacitinib reduced the score by 5 and 6 at 6 months and 12 months, respectively. Corticosteroid treatment was needed in 40% of patients treated with baricitinib and 62.5% of patients treated with rofacitinib. Treatment was discontinued due to loss of effectiveness in 10% of patients receiving baricitinib and 25% of patients treated with tofacitinib. Adverse reactions were experienced by 10% of patients treated with baricitinib and 12.5% of patients treated with tofacitinib. Adverse reactions led to treatment discontinuation in only 1 patient in each group. No statistically significant differences were observed between the two drugs.

Conclusions: The results show that baricitinib and tofacitinib were effective and safe in relation to all the variables analysed. Moreover, both drugs were similar in terms of effectiveness and safety for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in real-world clinical practice.

Objetivo: Objetivo principal: describir la efectividad y seguridad de baricitinib y tofacitinib en pacientes diagnosticados de artritis reumatoide en nuestro centro. Objetivo secundario: analizar si existen diferencias entre ambos fármacos en práctica clínica real.Método: Estudio observacional retrospectivo de 2 años de duración que incluyó pacientes diagnosticados de artritis reumatoide en tratamiento con baricitinib o tofacitinib en nuestro centro durante al menos 6 meses. Bases de datos: historia clínica electrónica, aplicativo informático de dispensación a pacientes externos. Variables recogidas: demográficas, factores de mal pronóstico, tratamiento previo, duración de tratamiento, tratamiento concomitante, escala DAS28, número de articulaciones inflamadas y dolorosas, escala visual analógica del dolor, suspensión del tratamiento y reacciones adversas. Evaluación de la efectividad: disminución en la escala DAS28, articulaciones inflamadas y dolorosas y escala visual analógica del dolor a los 6 y 12 meses de iniciado el tratamiento. Evaluación de la seguridad: detección de reacciones adversas.Análisis estadístico: prueba t-student.Resultados: Se evaluaron 44 pacientes, 20 (70% mujeres) recibieron tratamiento con baricitinib, 24 (95,8% mujeres) con tofacitinib. Baricitinib redujo la puntuación en la escala DAS28 en 2,3 y 1,7 a los 6 y 12 meses. Tofacitinib en 2 y 1,9 respectivamente. Baricitinib redujo el número de articulaciones inflamadas y dolorosas en 7 a los 6 y 12 meses, tofacitinib en 4 las inflamadas y 6 las dolorosas. Baricitinib redujo la puntuación en la escala visual analógica del dolor en 7,8 y 6,8; tofacitinib en 5 y 6 a los 6 y 12 meses. El 40% de los pacientes con baricitinib y el 62,5% con tofacitinib precisaron tratamiento con corticoides. El 10% de los pacientes con baricitinib y el 25% de los pacientes con tofacitinib suspendieron el tratamiento por ineficacia. El 10% de los pacientes de baricitinib y el 12,5% de tofacitinib experimentaron reacciones adversas. Sólo un paciente de cada grupo suspendió el tratamiento por reacciones adversas. No se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre ambos fármacos.Conclusiones: Según nuestros resultados, baricitinib y tofacitinib han demostrado ser efectivos y seguros en todas las variables analizadas. Además, ambos fármacos resultaron similares en efectividad y seguridad en la práctica clínica habitual del tratamiento de la artritis reumatoide.

MeSH terms

  • Antirheumatic Agents* / adverse effects
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid* / drug therapy
  • Azetidines
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Piperidines
  • Purines / therapeutic use
  • Pyrazoles / therapeutic use
  • Pyrimidines
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sulfonamides
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Azetidines
  • Piperidines
  • Purines
  • Pyrazoles
  • Pyrimidines
  • Sulfonamides
  • tofacitinib
  • baricitinib