Two cases of rheumatoid arthritis complicated by organising pneumonia successfully treated with tofacitinib therapy

Abstract

Organising pneumonia (OP) complicated by rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a rare type of interstitial lung disease, is sometimes refractory and resistant to immunosuppressive therapy. We report for the first time two cases of refractory OP with RA for which tofacitinib, an inhibitor of Janus kinase, was highly effective. Two women, aged 84 and 65 years, developed refractory OP during treatment for RA with biologics, certolizumab pegol, and etanercept. A moderate amount of prednisolone was effective in both cases; however, recurrences were observed with reduced glucocorticoid dosage. When tofacitinib was administered, OP and RA were well controlled. Thus, the glucocorticoid dosage was successfully tapered low enough until no side effects were observed. Tofacitinib therapy may be a treatment option for refractory OP.

Keywords:

• Tofacitinib
• rheumatoid arthritis
• organising pneumonia
• refractory
• resistant
• JAK inhibitor

Patient consent

For this case report, written informed consent were obtained from both patients.

Ethical approval

Not applicable.

Conflict of interest

None.