Work

Why most (but perhaps not all) DMARDs work equally well

Year: 2023

Type: article

Abstract: Biological- or targeted-synthetic DMARD-responses reported in randomized clinical trials, placebo-controlled or head-to-head, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis or spondyloarthritis are unbelievably similar, when looking across trials performed in the same disease and applying the same primary outcome measures. The exception to this rule may be the response to Janus-kinase-inhibitors, which seem to work 10 % better in all trials (JAK-bonus) This article provides a potential explanation for this remarkable phenomenon, including an explanation for the JAK-bonus. It seems as if JAK-inhibitors exert some inflammation-independent effects on pain, fatigue and wellbeing, and that drug treatment of rheumatic diseases is more than the inhibition of inflammation alone.

Source: Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism

DOI: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2023.152316

Authors: Robert B.M. Landewé, Alexandre Sepriano, Sytske Anne Bergstra

Institutions: Zuyderland Medisch Centrum, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Leiden University Medical Center, Universidade Nova de Lisboa

Language: English

Topic: Rheumatoid Arthritis Research and Therapies

Subfield: Rheumatology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,080