Baricitinib for the treatment of refractory vascular Behçet's disease.

OBJECTIVE

The pilot study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of baricitinib in Behcet's Disease (BD) patients with refractory vascular involvement.

METHODS

We consecutively enrolled vascular/cardiac BD patients who received baricitinib (2 mg/day) along with glucocorticoids (GCs) and immunosuppressants in our center. Efficacy assessment mainly depends on the proportion of clinical remission and side effects were recorded.

RESULTS

17 patients (12 males) were included with a mean follow-up of 10.7 ± 5.3 months. At 3 months of follow-up, 76.5% of patients achieved a complete response and the proportion increased to 88.2% at the last visit. During follow-up, ESR (p < 0.01) and hsCRP (p < 0.0001) decreased significantly, as well as Behçet's Disease Current Activity Form score (p < 0.01). In addition, baricitinib showed a GCs-sparing effect. No serious adverse events were noted.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that baricitinib is well-tolerated and effective in treating refractory vascular/cardiac BD patients.