Publications

Data by Flouri et al. support greater drug persistence with secukinumab than with TNF inhibitors in patients with axSpA and peripheral spondyloarthritis, both with respect to efficacy- and safety-related discontinuations, while the achievement of 6-month treatment targets was comparable. Flouri et al. compared long term treatment persistence, efficacy and safety between secukinumab and TNF inhibitors in a cohort of patients with SpA treated in real life.

Nozaki et al. showed that JAK inhibitor treatment provided sustained disease control (especially in high-risk RA patients) and promoted GC reduction, although TNF inhibitors remain a standard option. Nozaki et al. evaluated the clinical efficacy and continuation rates of JAK inhibitors and TNF inhibitors in RA patients with poor-prognosis factors (PPFs).

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.

Kaya et al. reported that switching to secukinumab or cycling to another TNFi after first TNFi failure in axSpA led to comparable drug survival, with predictive factors differing by treatment. The study reports that smoking and Achilles enthesitis were associated with higher SEC discontinuation, while high CRP and primary TNFi failure predicted TNFi discontinuation.

Heutz et al. found that patients requiring bDMARDs rarely achieved DMARD-free remission, while 15–37% of those on non-bDMARDs reached this milestone, underscoring significant differences based on treatment type. This suggests the EULAR recommendation against DMARD cessation may be too generalised.

Goldman, et al. conducted a pharmacovigilance study to evaluate the cardiovascular safety of JAK inhibitors in RA patients. The study demonstrated an increase in the reporting of VTE, stroke, and ischemic heart disease in patients treated with JAK inhibitor compared to bDMARDs, especially within the first year of treatment. This suggests a class effect of JAK inhibitors on cardiovascular risk, emphasising the need for ongoing surveillance and proactive cardiovascular risk management.

Burmester, et al. found that long-term filgotinib exposure was well tolerated in patients with moderate-to-severe active RA, with a stable rate of TEAEs over time. However, potential dose-dependent relationships for herpes zoster infections, malignancies and all-cause mortality were observed in patients aged ≥65 years, indicating the potential impact of age on the safety profile of Filgotinib. Therefore, some patients aged ≥65 years may benefit from the filgotinib 100 mg dose option.