Tofacitinib Effective both short-term and long-term in patients with Ulcerative Colitis

In a recent study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology the efficacy, durability, and safety of tofacitinib in treating ulcerative colitis (UC) was thoroughly assessed, shedding light on its potential as a long-term treatment option for this debilitating condition.

The study, encompassing a comprehensive analysis of 408 UC patients who had been administered their first tofacitinib dose at least 8 weeks prior to inclusion, yielded significant insights into the drug's performance. The primary measure of clinical effectiveness was based on the partial Mayo score, a widely recognized index for assessing UC severity.

The study revealed that 45% of the patients discontinued tofacitinib during the follow-up period, which had an average duration of 18 months. The probability of maintaining tofacitinib usage stood at 67% after 6 months, 58% after 12 months, and 49% after 24 months. The leading cause of tofacitinib withdrawal was primary nonresponse, accounting for 44% of cases.

Factors influencing tofacitinib withdrawal were identified as older age at the commencement of treatment and a higher severity of clinical activity. Remission rates were encouraging, with 38% of patients achieving remission at week 4, rising to 47% by week 16. The likelihood of remission at week 8 was linked to the initial disease activity level and age at the onset of tofacitinib treatment.