Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39167121›Full record

ArticleRheumatology (Oxford, England)2025

Glucocorticoid sparing effect of Janus kinase inhibitors compared to biologic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs in rheumatoid arthritis, a single-centre retrospective analysis.

Giovanni Adami, Riccardo Bixio, Giulia Virelli, Isotta Galvagni, Francesca Mastropaolo, Andrea Morciano, Francesca Ruzzon, Valeria Messina, Elena Fracassi, Davide Gatti and 3 more

Abstract readComparative Study
In one paragraph

Article in Rheumatology (Oxford, England), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Giovanni AdamiRheumatology Unit, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-8915-0755
Riccardo BixioRheumatology Unit, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-9335-3371
Giulia VirelliRheumatology Unit, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
Isotta GalvagniRheumatology Unit, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
Francesca MastropaoloRheumatology Unit, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
Andrea MorcianoRheumatology Unit, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
Francesca RuzzonRheumatology Unit, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
Valeria MessinaRheumatology Unit, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
Elena FracassiRheumatology Unit, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
Davide GattiRheumatology Unit, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
Ombretta ViapianaRheumatology Unit, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
Antonio CarlettoRheumatology Unit, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
Maurizio RossiniRheumatology Unit, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.

Funding

AbbVie
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundGlucocorticoid sparing in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment is crucial to minimizing adverse effects associated with long-term use. Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) could potentially offer a more potent glucocorticoid-sparing effect than biologic DMARDs (bDMARDs). MATERIAL AND

methodsThis is a single-centre retrospective analysis of RA patients treated with JAKi or bDMARDs. Glucocorticoid tapering, rescue therapy and discontinuation were analysed through mixed-effects models, Poisson regression and multivariable logistic regression, respectively, adjusting for baseline disease activity, demographic factors and treatment line.

resultsA total of 716 RA patients treated with JAKi (n = 156) or bDMARDs (n = 560) were evaluated. JAKi treatment was associated with a more rapid reduction in glucocorticoid dose within the first 6 months and 60% higher odds of discontinuation compared with bDMARDs (adjusted odds ratio 1.63; 95% CI: 1.02, 2.60, P = 0.039). Despite a higher baseline glucocorticoid dose, over 50% of JAKi-treated patients discontinued glucocorticoids after 12 months, vs ∼40% for bDMARDs. The need for glucocorticoid rescue therapy was significantly higher in the bDMARD group (rate ratio 2.66; 95% CI: 1.88, 3.74).

conclusionOur findings indicate that JAKi facilitate more rapid glucocorticoid tapering compared with bDMARDs in RA patients. These results underscore the potential of JAKi to reduce long-term glucocorticoid exposure, highlighting their value in RA management strategies, including minimizing glucocorticoid-related adverse effects.

Indexed as

Antirheumatic AgentsArthritis, RheumatoidBiological ProductsGlucocorticoidsJanus Kinase InhibitorsAdultAgedDrug TaperingFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedRetrospective StudiesTreatment OutcomeAntirheumatic AgentsBiological ProductsGlucocorticoidsJanus Kinase InhibitorsbaricitinibfilgotinibglucocorticoidJAKiTNFitofacitinibupadacitinib

Identifiers

PMID39167121
PMCPMC11962976

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.