Abstract

Background: Tofacitinib (TOFA) is the first inhibitor of JAK kinases with approval for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in Europe (July 2018)1. ToFA has shown efficacy in refractory patients to anti-TNF2. Objectives: A) to assess efficacy and safety of TOFA in the first cases in Spain in clinical practice. B) to compare the profile of clinical practice patients with clinical trial. Methods: Study of 41 patients of clinical practice with PsA treated with TOFA in Spain. The diagnosis of PsA was made using CASPAR criteria. Patients who received at least one dose of TOFA were included. Results are expressed as percentage, mean±SD or median [IRQ]. Results: 41 patients (23♀/18♂), mean age of 50.2±10.7 years (table 1). Pattern joint involvement was as follows: peripheral (n=25), axial (1) and mixed (15). During the PsA evolution, in addition to arthritis, patients also presented enthesitis (60.9%), nail involvement (39%) and dactylitis (31.7%). Prior TOFA, most patients had received oral prednisone or equivalent (max. 17.9±13.6 mg/d), synthetic immunosuppressants (mean 1.9±0.7) and biological therapy (TB) (3.4±1.9). TB were as follows: etanercept (29), adalimumab (29), infliximab (16), golimumab (13), certolizumab (14), secukinumab (30), ustekinumab (22). Apremilast was used in 10. After a mean follow-up of 12.6±9.1 years after the PsA diagnosis, TOFA was started (5 mg/12 h). 60.9% associated prednisone (9.4±6.1 mg/d). In 17 (41.5%) TOFA was started in combined therapy: methotrexate (9) and leflunomide (8); in the remaining 24, monotherapy was prescribed. In addition to active arthritis patients presented skin involvement (53.6%), enthesitis (26.8%), nail involvement (29.2%) and dactylitis (17.1%). Patients of clinical practice compared with clinical trial have a longer duration of PsA, functional disability (HAQ) and received a higher proportion of corticosteroids and TB (anti-TNF and non-anti-TNF) (table 1). After a median follow-up of 4 [3-10.5] months, patients showed prompt improvement in the main variables, both in activity indexes (PASI, DAS28, DAPSA) and laboratory test (table 2). Minor side effects were reported in 10 patients (gastrointestinal symptoms), and TOFA was discontinued in 1 due to persistent symptoms. Conclusion: In this preliminary study, first patients of clinical practice in Spain with TOFA in PsA had a longer evolution and received a greater number of TB than those of clinical trial. As in the TOFA clinical trial, it seems effective, rapid and relatively safe in daily clinical practice for refractory PsA.

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