Lindner et al. report that their findings underscore the need for sex-specific treatment strategies and more comprehensive research into biological and sociocultural factors influencing therapy persistence and reasons for discontinuation in real-world settings. Authors investigated sex differences in treatment outcomes, persistence, discontinuation reasons, and adverse events during first-line b/tsDMARD therapy.

September 2025

Marzo-Ortega et al. report that dactylitis and enthesitis are associated with a greater disease burden and worse prognosis, highlighting the importance for physicians to identify these conditions and provide adequate treatment. Authors evaluated guselkumab’s efficacy on dactylitis resolution (DR) and enthesitis resolution (ER), and their impact on subsequent disease control, in patients with active PsA and prior inadequate response to tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi-IR).

August 2025

Baraliakos et al. compared real-world effectiveness of upadacitinib, TNF inhibitors, or IL-17 inhibitors following inadequate response to an initial TNF inhibitor in patients with axSpA. Upadacitinib was associated with greater reductions in pain and fewer affected joints compared with switching to a second TNF inhibitor or IL-17 inhibitor.

In this nationwide observational study, ixekuzumab was mainly used in patients with axSpA and PsA who had previously failed multiple b/tsDMARDs, including other IL-17 inhibitors. Although prior IL-17 treatment was associated with increased risk of withdrawal in both groups, the relatively high retention rates and improvements in all disease outcomes suggest ixekizumab as a viable option for challenging patients with multiple b/tsDMARD failures.

This descriptive analysis indicates a long-term safety profile of UPA consistent with previous reports, further supporting long-term treatment of chronic diseases with UPA. Burmester at al. characterized the safety profile of UPA across multiple approved indications and offer insights into its long-term use to help inform clinical decision-making.

In patients with UC and refractory spondyloarthritis (SpA)—many of whom had previously failed multiple biologic therapies—TOF demonstrated effectiveness, particularly in those with peripheral SpA. Macaluso et al. assessed the effectiveness of TOF in UC-associated SpA. Articular responses were evaluated using rheumatologic scores.

Treatment with risankizumab provides durable improvement in the signs and symptoms of PsA across all the GRAPPA disease domains and related conditions. This post hoc analysis by Coates et al. aimed to assess the efficacy of long-term treatment with risankizumab across the updated GRAPPA domains and key related conditions of PsA.

Wang et al. validated the effectiveness and safety of UPA in this real-world study of Chinese PsA patients. UPA demonstrated comparable effectiveness to secukinumab (SEC) in psoriatic lesion improvement while showing comparable joint symptom relief compared with adalimumab (ADA), coupled with a favourable safety profile.

Most patients vaccinated with RZV while using UPA 15mg QD and background MTX achieved satisfactory humoral and cell-mediated immune responses to recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) at Weeks 4, 16 and 60. Winthrop et al. evaluated the immunogenicity of RZV through Week 60 in patients with RA who were receiving UPA 15mg QD and background MTX.

July 2025

In this nationwide study of Swedish PsO and PsA patients treated with ustekinumab, etanercept, adalimumab, or secukinumab, spanning more than 10 years, the overall risk of MACE was low across treatment groups. There was no meaningful difference in risk of MACE between ustekinumab and the other treatments.