The impact of different classes of anti-rheumatic medications on acute health care utilization and all-cause mortality in elderly rheumatoid arthritis patients
Summary
Project ID: 2023-1098/ TRIM 2025 0970 385 000
Principle Investigator: Mohammad Movahedi
Description: The Oral Rheumatoid Arthritis Trial (ORAL) Surveillance study reported an increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and cancer in patients with RA taking tofacitinib compared to Tumor Necrosing Factor Inhibitors (TNFi). However, there is limited real world evidence. Using data from Ontario Rheumatoid Arthritis Database (ORAD) and Ontario drug Benefit database (ODBD) held at ICES, the project team will investigate the risk of all-cause emergency department visits and hospitalization and mortality across different classes of anti-rheumatic medication in the RA population over 65 years old. The project will specifically look at hospitalization due to MACE and cancer in Janus Kinase inhibitor (JAKi) users compared to TNFi users. The findings will assist rheumatologists across Ontario choose an advanced therapy that will minimize serious side effects.
PIA approved: April 2, 2024
Status: In progress