Safety and effectiveness of tofacitinib in Korean adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A post-marketing surveillance study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objectives The aim of this article is to assess the safety and effectiveness of tofacitinib in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in routine clinical settings in Korea. Methods This is a prospective, multi-centre post-marketing surveillance study. Data were prospectively collected within 6 months after the start of tofacitinib therapy. Safety was evaluated based on the presence of adverse events (AEs) observed in patients who received at least one dose of tofacitinib. Effectiveness was assessed according to the proportion of patients who achieved low disease activity and remission, American College of Rheumatology 20 criteria (ACR20), European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) response, and change of Disease Activity Score in 28 Joints (DAS28). Results The incidence rates [patients with events per 100 patient-years (PY)] of AEs and serious AEs were 56.92 and 10.69, respectively. Regarding AEs of special interest, the incidence rates were 4.33 per 100 PY for serious infections and infestations, 5.78 per 100 PY for herpes zoster, no event of tuberculosis, 0.29 per 100 PY for malignancy, 0.29 per 100 PY for venous thromboembolism (one event of deep vein thrombosis and no event of pulmonary embolism), 0.87 per 100 PY for major adverse cardiovascular event, and 0.58 per 100 PY for mortality. Moreover, ∼40.48% and 21.60% of patients achieved low disease activity and remission of DAS28-erythrocyte sedimentation rate. The EULAR response was classified as good responders with 39.12% in the DAS28-erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Conclusions The benefit/risk profile of tofacitinib in adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis in routine clinical settings in Korea was similar to long-term clinical trial data.