Why carry out this study?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as a chronic autoimmune disease affects approximately 0.28–0.45% of the population in China. The principle for RA management in China is to reach remission or low disease activity, but the reported remission rate in Chinese RA patients is low.

Baricitinib is an oral, selective inhibitor of the Janus kinase, which demonstrates clinical efficacy in RA patients with inadequate response to one or more disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.

This subgroup analysis describes the efficacy and safety of baricitinib 4 mg in Chinese RA patients with an inadequate response to methotrexate, based on results of a phase 3 study RA-BALANCE. Effects of baseline characteristics on the efficacy of baricitinib are also assessed in Chinese patients.

What has been learned from the study?

Baricitinib 4 mg demonstrated significant clinical improvements in Chinese rheumatoid arthritis patients compared to placebo. Consistent efficacy of baricitinib was observed across subgroups defined by different demographics and baseline characteristics.

Baricitinib was well tolerated with a safety profile consistent with previous baricitinib studies.