Rheumatology: Current Research
Open Access

Abstract

Dramatic Effect of Tofacitinib on TNF-Inhibitor Resistant Synovitis: A Case Report

Keiichiro Nishida, Masamitsu Natsumeda, Yoshihisa Nasu and Kazuhiko Ezawa

A 58-year-old woman with a 2.5-year history of rheumatoid arthritis showed a pain, severe swelling, and a decreased range of motion of left knee joint. Medical therapy with 8 mg per week of oral methotrexate and 1 mg per day of tacrolimus in combination with 40 mg per 2 weeks of adalimumab failed to control the disease activity. Administration of tofacitinib achieved the successful disease control, and MRI taken 5 months after the initiation of tofacitinib showed the disappearance of synovial mass within the knee joint and the bone marrow oedema and marked reduction of the popliteal cyst. The use of tofacitinib for inadequate response to the first TNF inhibitor as a third-line DMARD showed dramatic effect on severe synovitis, and the patient could avoid the surgical intervention.