Abstract

Introduction: JAK inhibitors are a newer class of drugs for treating Rheumatoid arthritis and they are currently in use in many continents. Their use in sub-Saharan Africa has rarely been documented in referred journals. Objective: To assess and document the clinical outcomes of Rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with tofacitinib after methotrexate in a hospital in Kisumu, Western Kenya. Methodology: This was a retrospective chart review of patients who had previous been treated with methotrexate based combinations with poor outcomes or intolerance, and had completed at least 6 months of tofacitinib treatment. CDAI scores were done at baseline and at 6 months post-treatment. Treatment side effects were evaluated from the data and analysed. Results: There was significant improvement of CDAI scores after 6 months treatment with tofacitinib with minimal serious infections. Conclusion: Tofacitinib is efficacious in African populations.

Keywords

methotrexate, tofacitinib, treatment failure, improvement, infections