Baricitinib Mono vs Combo: 6-Year RA Data
January 13, 2026
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3 min
7 Key Takeaways
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1
Study followed 219 RA patients initiating baricitinib.
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2
Evaluated effects of monotherapy versus combination therapy with methotrexate.
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3
33% achieved boolean remission at least once.
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4
Similar drug survival observed in both groups over 72 months.
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5
Safety profile consistent with known baricitinib risks.
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6
Individualization of treatment is crucial, especially regarding methotrexate tolerance.
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7
Further randomized trials needed to confirm findings.
A 6-year observational study evaluated the effectiveness of baricitinib for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), comparing monotherapy to its use with methotrexate. Conducted on 219 patients at a tertiary center between 2017 and 2023, the study showed both treatment strategies produced rapid disease activity reduction with similar long-term outcomes. Notably, 33% of patients achieved Boolean remission and long-term drug survival was comparable between groups. The findings suggest baricitinib monotherapy is a viable alternative when methotrexate is unsuitable, with a focus on individualized treatment plans. Lead author Dr. Sara Bayat underscores the importance of further randomized trials to establish efficacy.
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