Patient-reported outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with baricitinib: A prospective observational...

This real-world study evaluated the effectiveness of baricitinib on the activities of daily living and health-related quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Japan, and it explored the association between early pain and fatigue improvements and 12-month remission.

The study involved patients with rheumatoid arthritis aged ≥20 who initiated baricitinib and were followed for 12 months. Patient-reported outcomes were assessed using a visual analogue scale, the Locomo 5, the EQ-5D-5L, and the SF-36 subscales.

The study included 353 patients (mean age of 63.4 years). Baricitinib substantially reduced pain levels from a mean (SD) of 48.4 (26.5) mm, fatigue levels from 42.3 (28.3) mm, and morning stiffness from 51.8 (126.9) min at baseline, to 25.2 (21.4) mm, 24.3 (22.7) mm, and 15.8 (38.7) min, respectively, at 12 months. Clinically meaningful improvements were observed in activities of daily living [Locomo 5 scores: 6.9 (5.7) to 4.7 (5.3)] and health-related quality of life [EQ-5D-5L index scores: 0.700 (0.217) to 0.829 (0.166)] over 12 months. Logistic regression analysis revealed that early improvements in pain and fatigue were predictive of disease remission at 12 months.

Baricitinib improved patient-reported outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Japan, with early symptom relief predicting mid-term disease remission. To complement this abstract, a video abstract is available online.