Key clinical point: Baricitinib monotherapy was as effective as baricitinib plus methotrexate therapy with high drug retention rates in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), suggesting baricitinib monotherapy as a viable option in the case of methotrexate intolerance.
Major finding: The 28-joint Disease Activity Scores based on Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate were not significantly different at all time points over 96 weeks (log-rank P = .44) and drug survival rates at 1 year (69% vs 67%) and 2 years (62% vs 56%) were comparable in the baricitinib alone vs baricitinib+methotrexate arm. No new safety signals were identified.
Study details: This prospective observational study included 139 patients with RA who switched to baricitinib monotherapy or baricitinib plus methotrexate therapy because of high disease activity or intolerance to previous conventional synthetic and biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.
Disclosures: This study was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft and other sources. Several authors reported receiving speaker honoraria or travel support or serving as consultants for various sources.
Source: Bayat S et al. Efficacy and drug persistence of baricitinib monotherapy is similar to combination therapy in patients with active RA: A prospective observational study. RMD Open . 2022;8:e002674 (Nov 21). Doi: 10.1136/rmdopen-2022-002674