Baricitinib NOT linked to adverse cardiovascular outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis in latest review

Trials have found that there does not seem to be an association between baricitinib treatment and major adverse cardiovascular events, arterial thrombotic events or congestive heart failure in people with rheumatoid arthritis.

A team looked at these events in nearly 3,500 people who were taking baricitinib, an oral, selective Janus kinase (JAK)1/JAK2 inhibitor for treatment of moderately‐to‐severely active rheumatoid arthritis. They were compared to people with rheumatoid arthritis who were taking a placebo.

No association was found between baricitinib treatment and major adverse cardiovascular events, arterial thrombotic events or congestive heart failure.

For deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, six events were reported for baricitinib but not placebo, but over a longer time period, the incidence balanced out.

“During extended observation, incidence rates for venous thrombotic events were similar between the two baricitinib doses, consistent over time, and comparable to the expected rates for venous thrombotic events in RA based on the published literature,” the researchers conclude.

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