A recent study has provided encouraging evidence that newer oral medications known as JAK inhibitors are effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in real-world scenarios.
These medications, such as tofacitinib (Xeljanz), baricitinib (Olumiant), and upadacitinib (Rinvoq), are taken orally and represent a relatively new class of drugs for RA treatment.
Despite initial doubts about their effectiveness in real-world settings, the study’s findings, published in the journal Rheumatology on November 1, demonstrate their efficacy in improving the lives of RA patients who do not respond to or cannot tolerate older RA medications.
Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own joint tissues, leading to painful swelling and stiffness in the joints.
Over time, this systemic inflammation can also affect other parts of the body, including the heart, lungs, skin, and eyes.
JAK Inhibitors as Treatment: Numerous medications are available to slow the progression of joint damage in RA by targeting different aspects of the immune response, and JAK inhibitors are among them. However, they are not typically the first choice for RA treatment.
Previous concerns had been raised regarding the effectiveness of JAK inhibitors in real-world situations, especially when administered to patients whose RA had not responded to standard treatments.
Researchers in Japan conducted a study involving 622 RA adults treated at seven medical centers. These patients were prescribed one of the four JAK inhibitors approved in Japan.
The study found that approximately 90% of the patients continued taking their medication six months after starting it, and most experienced symptom relief or even remission.
Around one-third of the patients achieved remission within six months, and over 80% attained “low disease activity” where their symptoms were largely under control.
These findings suggest that JAK inhibitors are indeed effective in real-world scenarios for individuals with RA.
Dr. Stanley Cohen, a U.S. rheumatologist not involved in the research, confirmed that the study’s results demonstrate the effectiveness of JAK inhibitor therapies.
Additionally, he suggested that the different JAK medications had a similar likelihood of success, although no direct comparisons have been made between them.
Safety Considerations: While JAK inhibitors have shown some increased risks compared to older RA medications, such as TNF inhibitors, the overall risks are considered relatively low.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning and recommended that JAK inhibitors be prescribed only after patients have tried at least one TNF inhibitor, following a study that indicated a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, and certain cancers in some older RA patients taking tofacitinib.
Long-Term Effectiveness and Safety: It’s important to note that the study’s follow-up period was relatively short (six months), and the long-term effectiveness and safety of JAK inhibitors require further investigation.
Despite the potential risks, the overall safety profile of JAK inhibitors appears comparable to that of TNF blockers and other biologic drugs targeting immune activity related to RA.
Conclusion: The study’s findings provide hope for individuals living with rheumatoid arthritis, as newer oral medications, JAK inhibitors, have shown positive results in real-world settings.
While more research is needed to assess long-term effectiveness and safety, these findings offer an encouraging option for those whose RA has not responded to standard treatments.
Consultation with a healthcare provider remains essential to determine the most appropriate treatment approach for each individual with RA.
If you care about arthritis, please read studies about extra virgin olive oil for arthritis, and pomegranate: A natural treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.
For more information about arthritis, please see recent studies about how to live pain-free with arthritis, and results showing medical cannabis may help reduce arthritis pain, back pain.
The research findings can be found in Rheumatology.
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