Is Baricitinib Effective and Safe for Patients with Difficult-to-Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis? Comparative Data with the RA Group of Rheumatoid Arthritis not Difficult to Treat.

OBJECTIVE This study investigates the efficacy and safety of baricitinib, an oral targeted synthetic Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARD), in patients with difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis (D2T RA) compared to those without, aiming to determine its potential as an alternative treatment for D2T RA. SUBJECT AND METHODS A total of 78 patients participated in this retrospective cohort study, with 33 meeting the D2T RA criteria and 45 were in the non-D2T RA group. Various clinical and laboratory parameters, adverse events, and disease activity indices were assessed, alongside drug efficacy and survival rates. RESULTS Patients with D2T RA exhibited higher seronegativity, prior use of bDMARDs and cDMARDs, and longer disease duration. Both groups experienced reductions in VAS and DAS28 scores, as well as SDAI, CDAI, HAQ, CRP, and ESR levels at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months post-baricitinib initiation, with sustained efficacy observed over 12 months. The most prevalent adverse event was infection (28.21%). Although initial drug survival rates were similar between groups, the non-D2T RA group demonstrated higher rates at 24 months (46.70% vs. 59.40%). Subgroup analyses showed comparable survival rates between D2T RA and non-D2T RA groups, whether treated with baricitinib alone or in combination with methotrexate or leflunomide. CONCLUSION Despite potential treatment resistance, patients meeting the D2T RA criteria shared similar safety and efficacy profiles with those non-D2T RA. Baricitinib emerges as a promising treatment option for D2T RA patients, offering effectiveness and safety comparable to the non-D2T RA group.