- Academic Editor
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Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease
that causes progressive joint damage. The Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors (JAK-I)
represent a new therapeutic option for RA patients, blocking the intracellular
JAK-STAT pathway. Today, no studies have been conducted to determine whether new
biomarkers could better reflect disease activity in patients treated with JAK-I
than traditional disease activity indicators. Thus, the aim of our study was to
determine additional disease activity biomarkers in RA patients receiving
selective JAK-1 inhibitors. Methods: we enrolled 57 patients with RA: 34
patients were treated with Upadacitinib (UPA) and 23 patients with Filgotinib
(FIL). All patients were evaluated for clinimetry with DAS28 and Crohn’s Disease
Activity Index (CDAI), number of tender and swollen joints, Visual Analogic Scale
(VAS), Physician Global Assessment (PhGA), and Health Assessment Questionnaire
(HAQ), at baseline and at the 12th week of treatment. Lymphocyte subpopulations,
complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-Reactive Protein
(CRP), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (APCA), rheumatoid factor
(RF) IgM, interleukin 6 (IL-6), circulating calprotectin (cCLP), tumor necrosis
factor