In rheumatoid arthritis patients, treatment adherence to tofacitinib was very good. The older age was linked with greater adherence. A low agreement between the questionnaires Compliance Questionnaire Rheumatology CQR19 and CQR5 was noted.

A cross-sectional study was performed to determine the adherence to therapy with tofacitinib in individuals having rheumatoid arthritis, to assess the variables linked with adherence to tofacitinib, and to examine the performance of both questionnaires.

The study incorporated participants ≥18years old, with rheumatoid arthritis (American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism [ACR/EULAR] criteria 2010) under tofacitinib therapy. All the participants completed the self-questionnaires CQR5 and CQR19. Adherence to tofacitinib therapy was noted utilizing these questionnaires.

This study incorporated 52 patients (median age 57.7 years, median disease duration 16 years ) with rheumatoid arthritis. In total, 86.5% were administered tofacitinib (5 mg twice a day) and 48% were administered tofacitinib. 

The median time of tofacitinib therapy was 13 months, 42.3% suspended therapy, and only one patient permanently ceased the therapy due to provision lack. The median CQR19 was found to be 89.5%, and 84.6% had an adherence ≥80%. Older age and the comorbidities presence were the variables substantially linked with adherence ≥80%. The concordance with the CQR19 was found to be low and considering the CQR5, a similar proportion of individuals (82.7%) were adherents to therapy. In  multivariate assessment, older age was the only variable that was independently related to a good therapy adherence.

Treatment adherence to tofacitinib is good in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and older age was associated with better adherence.