Treatment Adherence and Adherence Patterns of Tofacitinib and Self‐Injectable TNFi Use in People with Rheumatoid Arthritis

ObjectiveTo assess tofacitinib and self‐injectable tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) adherence using the Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS) and characterize association with adherence in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MethodsEligible patients were enrolled from the Forward Databank within 6 months of initiating tofacitinib or injectable TNFi or from participating clinics where these were first prescribed. MEMS caps and patient diaries were used to compile dosing over 9 months. Demographics and disease characteristics were collected every 6 months, and the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire only at baseline. Adherence along with its components, initiation, implementation, and persistence, were calculated.ResultsOf the 112 consented to participate, 82 (73%) remained in the final analysis with recruitment from clinics 47 (57%) and Forward 35 (43%). Sixty‐two (76%) initiated tofacitinib with 87% taking it quaque die and twenty (24%) TNFi. At 9 months, 77% of tofacitinib were persistent versus 70% for TNFi (P = 0.65), and implementation was similar (0.84 vs. 0.82; P = 0.57). In multivariable models, increased baseline patient global assessment was consistently associated with discontinuation (hazard ratio 1.31 [1.07‐1.61]). There was increased adherence to methotrexate (MTX) when taking tofacitinib that led to higher combined adherence for tofacitinib than TNFi (0.81 vs. 0.69; P = 0.03), but no significant differences remained in multivariable models. In sensitivity analysis, consistent morning intake for tofacitinib and evening intake for MTX was associated with improved adherence.ConclusionWe found no statistical differences in adherence between patients with RA initiating tofacitinib and self‐injectable TNFi, although 15% to 30% were nonadherent. Concomitant MTX, patient global assessment, and a consistent time of day intake were associated with adherence.