Tofacitinib Monotherapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Comparative Efficacy in a 12-Month Prospective Cohort Study

Main Article Content

Lei Lei
Department of Nephrology, Huizhou First People's Hospital, Huizhou, China

Zhenye Zhang
Department of Nephrology, Huizhou First People's Hospital, Huizhou, China

Zhiyong Huang
Department of Nephrology, Huizhou First People's Hospital, Huizhou, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.70267/emsgh.2501.0109

Keywords

rheumatoid arthritis, tofacitinib, efficacy

Abstract

This 12-month prospective cohort study evaluated the comparative efficacy of tofacitinib monotherapy, methotrexate (MTX) monotherapy, and their combination in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Patients meeting the 2010 ACR/EULAR classification criteria were stratified into three treatment groups. Primary endpoints were changes in Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS28) and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) scores; secondary endpoints included hemoglobin, white blood cell count, rheumatoid factor (RF), C-reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). At 3 months, no significant differences were observed among groups in most parameters except for lower white blood cell counts in the combination therapy group. By 6 months, the combination therapy group showed significantly reduced RF levels and DAS28 scores compared to the monotherapy groups. At 12 months, combination therapy demonstrated the most significant reduction in RF and DAS28. Tofacitinib monotherapy showed comparable efficacy to MTX monotherapy in improving DAS28 and reducing RF, with unique advantages in acute inflammation control. Notably, combination therapy led to sustained white blood cell suppression, warranting careful monitoring. Tofacitinib monotherapy emerged as a viable alternative for RA patients intolerant to MTX, offering comparable efficacy without significant myelosuppression. Future studies should validate these findings in larger cohorts and specific subgroups.

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Published
Jun 16, 2025
Issue
Vol. 1 (2025)
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Articles
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How to Cite

Tofacitinib Monotherapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Comparative Efficacy in a 12-Month Prospective Cohort Study. (2025). Explore Medical Science and Global Health, 1, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.70267/emsgh.2501.0109