Comparative treatment persistence of upadacitinib vs. tofacitinib in psoriatic arthritis: a multicenter observational study from the BIRRA cohort - Report - MDSpire

Comparative treatment persistence of upadacitinib vs. tofacitinib in psoriatic arthritis: a multicenter observational study from the BIRRA cohort

  • By

  • Alessandro Conforti

  • Martina Gentile

  • Valerio Cipolloni

  • Linda Lucchetti

  • Marta Priora

  • Andrea Becciolini

  • Eleonora Celletti

  • Miriam Di Penta

  • Alberto Lo Gullo

  • Marino Paroli

  • Elena Bravi

  • Romina Andracco

  • Valeria Nucera

  • Francesca Ometto

  • Federica Lumetti

  • Antonella Farina

  • Matteo Colina

  • Viviana Ravagnani

  • Palma Scolieri

  • Maddalena Larosa

  • Elisa Visalli

  • Olga Addimanda

  • Rosetta Vitetta

  • Alessandro Volpe

  • Alessandra Bezzi

  • Francesco Girelli

  • Aldo Biagio Molica Colella

  • Rosalba Caccavale

  • Eleonora Di Donato

  • Giuditta Adorni

  • Daniele Santilli

  • Gianluca Lucchini

  • Eugenio Arrigoni

  • Emanuela Sabatini

  • Ilaria Platè

  • Natalia Mansueto

  • Aurora Ianniello

  • Enrico Fusaro

  • Maria Chiara Ditto

  • Vincenzo Bruzzese

  • Dario Camellino

  • Gerolamo Bianchi

  • Francesca Serale

  • Rosario Foti

  • Giorgio Amato

  • Francesco De Lucia

  • Ylenia Dal Bosco

  • Roberta Foti

  • Massimo Reta

  • Alessia Fiorenza

  • Guido Rovera

  • Antonio Marchetta

  • Maria Cristina Focherini

  • Fabio Mascella

  • Simone Bernardi

  • Gilda Sandri

  • Dilia Giuggioli

  • Carlo Salvarani

  • Veronica Franchina

  • Francesco Molica Colella

  • Giulio Ferrero

  • Mirco Magnani

  • Marta Maset

  • Camilla Mazzanti

  • Gianluca Santoboni

  • Claudio Angrisani

  • Massimiliano De Simone

  • Bernd Raffeiner

  • Simone Parisi

  • Alarico Ariani

  • July 8, 2026

Share

Clinical Report: Assessment of Treatment Continuation Rates for Upadacitinib and Tofacitinib in Psoriatic Arthritis

Overview

This study compares treatment persistence between upadacitinib and tofacitinib in psoriatic arthritis patients. Results indicate no statistically significant difference in treatment persistence between the two medications.

Background

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting a significant portion of the population. Understanding treatment persistence is crucial as it reflects the effectiveness and tolerability of therapies in real-world settings. This study aims to compare the persistence of two JAK inhibitors, upadacitinib and tofacitinib, in PsA management.

Data Highlights

Time (months)Upadacitinib Retention RateTofacitinib Retention Rate
686%78%
1268%60%
1854%60%

Key Findings

  • No significant difference in treatment persistence between upadacitinib and tofacitinib after adjustment for clinical factors (p = 0.7).
  • Retention rates at 6, 12, and 18 months were 86%, 68%, and 54% for upadacitinib, and 78%, 60%, and 60% for tofacitinib.
  • Concomitant csDMARD therapy was associated with a higher risk of treatment discontinuation (HR: 1.92).
  • Later-line treatment was also a predictor of higher discontinuation risk (HR: 1.17).
  • Patient- and treatment-related factors influenced treatment retention more than the specific JAK inhibitor prescribed.

Clinical Implications

Clinicians should consider the impact of concomitant therapies and treatment lines on patient persistence when prescribing JAK inhibitors for PsA. Understanding these factors may help in managing patient expectations and treatment planning.

Conclusion

The study highlights the importance of patient and treatment characteristics in treatment retention for upadacitinib and tofacitinib in PsA.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Clinical Rheumatology, 2024 -- Assessment of Tofacitinib's Persistence, Effectiveness, and Usage Trends in Psoriatic Arthritis Management in Australia
  2. Clinical Rheumatology, 2023 -- Real-World Insights on Tofacitinib for Rheumatoid Arthritis in Italy
  3. Clinical Rheumatology, 2021 -- Assessment of the Effectiveness, Longevity, and Treatment Patterns of Tofacitinib Monotherapy and Combination Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis in Australia
  4. EULAR recommendations for the management of psoriatic arthritis with pharmacological therapies: 2023 update | Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
  5. Upadacitinib in patients with psoriatic arthritis and an inadequate response to non-biological therapy: 56-week data from the phase 3 SELECT-PsA 1 study
  6. Clinical Rheumatology — Effects of reducing, discontinuing, and resuming tofacitinib in rheumatoid arthritis patients: a prospective observational investigation
  7. EULAR recommendations for the management of psoriatic arthritis
  8. Comparative Effectiveness of Upadacitinib vs Tofacitinib in Psoriatic Arthritis
  9. Upadacitinib in patients with psoriatic arthritis and an inadequate response to non-biological therapy: 56-week data from the phase 3 SELECT-PsA 1 study - PMC

Original Source(s)

Comparative treatment persistence of upadacitinib vs. tofacitinib in psoriatic arthritis: a multicenter observational study from the BIRRA cohort

  • by Alessandro Conforti, Martina Gentile, Valerio Cipolloni, Linda Lucchetti, Marta Priora, Andrea Becciolini, Eleonora Celletti, Miriam Di Penta, Alberto Lo Gullo, Marino Paroli, Elena Bravi, Romina Andracco, Valeria Nucera, Francesca Ometto, Federica Lumetti, Antonella Farina, Matteo Colina, Viviana Ravagnani, Palma Scolieri, Maddalena Larosa, Elisa Visalli, Olga Addimanda, Rosetta Vitetta, Alessandro Volpe, Alessandra Bezzi, Francesco Girelli, Aldo Biagio Molica Colella, Rosalba Caccavale, Eleonora Di Donato, Giuditta Adorni, Daniele Santilli, Gianluca Lucchini, Eugenio Arrigoni, Emanuela Sabatini, Ilaria Platè, Natalia Mansueto, Aurora Ianniello, Enrico Fusaro, Maria Chiara Ditto, Vincenzo Bruzzese, Dario Camellino, Gerolamo Bianchi, Francesca Serale, Rosario Foti, Giorgio Amato, Francesco De Lucia, Ylenia Dal Bosco, Roberta Foti, Massimo Reta, Alessia Fiorenza, Guido Rovera, Antonio Marchetta, Maria Cristina Focherini, Fabio Mascella, Simone Bernardi, Gilda Sandri, Dilia Giuggioli, Carlo Salvarani, Veronica Franchina, Francesco Molica Colella, Giulio Ferrero, Mirco Magnani, Marta Maset, Camilla Mazzanti, Gianluca Santoboni, Claudio Angrisani, Massimiliano De Simone, Bernd Raffeiner, Simone Parisi, Alarico Ariani

  • July 8, 2026

Related Content

Modifying Physical Activity Patterns in Individuals with Inflammatory Arthritis: A Comprehensive Review of Current Practices, Influencing Factors, and Intervention Strategies

Who Decides When a Doctor Steps Back?

Cognitive decline, credentialing, and why “I’ll know” often isn’t enough.

​​​​​​​PsA Treatment Options Expand

Phase 3 POETYK trial results support FDA approval of deucravacitinib for adults with active PsA.