Patient and clinician views on JAKi in the treatment of IA (v1)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Patient and clinician views on janus kinase inhibitors in the treatment of inflammatory arthritis: a mixed-methods study
IRAS ID
295399
Contact name
Elena Nikiphorou
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 17 days
Research summary
Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) are relatively new to the field of rheumatology and provide clinicians with more therapeutic options for treating patients with 2 common forms of inflammatory arthritis (IA): rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA).
Unlike biologics, which are currently often prescribed, JAKi are taken as tablets. Theoretically this provides greater freedom and self-efficacy for patients: it’s unnecessary to attend hospital for infusions, keep fridge space for injections and JAKi are convenient for travel. This potentially means a better quality of life for patients with less time off work and a reduced burden on the healthcare system.
With a shorter half-life than biologics, JAKi can be quickly stopped and restarted when necessary; an advantage during the current pandemic. One JAKi is being trialled as a possible treatment for hospitalised COVID-19 patients. With home delivery and no need to visit a hospital, prescribing JAKi will lower the risk of infection for immunocompromised patients whilst healthcare staff can be redeployed where most needed. Additionally, there is an NHS cost-saving in shifting to oral therapies.
JAKi don’t yet have the evidence-base that biologics do. There are currently no publications on what IA patients or clinicians think about real-world JAKi use, compared with biologics, or how the COVID-19 pandemic affects how JAKi are viewed and prescribed.
The main goal of this 18-month study is to obtain views from RA/PsA patients and rheumatology clinicians around the awareness, prescription and use of JAKi in the UK; and to learn how the COVID-19 pandemic affects JAKi use. This will be achieved through the use of 3 online surveys (2 for clinicians and 1 for patients) and 3 patient focus groups.
The research is sponsored by King’s College Hospital (KCH) and funded by Pfizer Inc. Recruitment will be via KCH, patient organisations and social media.
REC name
HSC REC A
REC reference
21/NI/0111
Date of REC Opinion
13 Jul 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion