Clinical Characteristics and Management for Flares in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis Treated With Biologic and Targeted Synthetic Disease‐Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs

Key Points

• The research aims to identify the characteristics of flares in rheumatoid arthritis patients receiving biologic and targeted synthetic therapy.
• Examined flare occurrences in rheumatoid arthritis patients during treatment with b/tsDMARDs.
• Assessed predictors of flares, focusing on joint involvement, particularly shoulder swelling.
• Evaluated management strategies, including csDMARD adjustment and steroid use during flares.
• Flares occurred in approximately 14% of patients on b/tsDMARDs.
• Shoulder swelling was identified as a predictor of flare occurrences.
• Adjusting csDMARDs was associated with reduced steroid use but did not impact b/tsDMARD retention rates.