Key clinical point: A once-daily 4-mg dose of baricitinib (Olumiant) was safe and effective over 148 weeks for patients with early and treatment-resistant rheumatoid arthritis.

Major finding: At week 148, up to 61% of DMARD-naïve patients initially treated with baricitinib and 59% of patients who switched to baricitinib after inadequate response to methotrexate had low disease activity based on Simplified Disease Activity Index scores of 11 or less.

Study details: The data come from two phase 3 studies and one long-term extension of rheumatoid arthritis patients who were treatment-naïve or inadequate responders to methotrexate; patients received 4 mg baricitinib once daily for a total of 148 weeks; disease activity was based on the Simple Disease Activity Index and the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index.

Disclosures: The study was supported by Eli Lilly and Company, and several coauthors are employed by that company. Lead author Dr. Smolen and several coauthors disclosed relationships with multiple companies including AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Novartis, Pfizer, and Roche.