Background/Purpose: In recent years, an increasing number of cytokines and their function in the pathophysiology of immunologic conditions have been identified, leading to the development of new targeted therapies such as the Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors that may provide better patient-centric treatment options. The objective of this study was to determine if an online, continuing education curriculum could advance the care of patients with rheumatoid arthritis in real world clinical practice with appropriate use of JAK inhibitors after inadequate response or intolerance to anti-TNF inhibitors.

Methods: The educational program consisted of 4 CME activities in various formats including panel discussions, clinician-patient video-vignettes with expert faculty commentary, and virtual patient simulation case-studies that allow learners to order lab tests, assess disease, and prescribe treatments in a manner matching the scope and depth of actual practice. This real-world outcome study (RWO) was designed to assess the impact of the CME activities on the appropriate use of JAK inhibitors in patients who have failed an anti-TNF therapy by rheumatologists, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners. A retrospective matched case-control study was conducted using medical and pharmacy claims aggregated with patients and the coding clinicians between December 2023 through November 2024. Learners and non-learners were matched based upon specialty, geographic location, number of patients with RA, number of treated with biologics, and number of patients treated with JAK inhibitors. Independent t-tests were used to assess significance between the number of patients receiving JAK inhibitors by clinicians in the CME group and those in the control group. Data were pulled for 3 months pre and 3 months-post first CME activity participation date (“index date”).

Results: The sample includes 654 CME learners who participated in at least 1 of the 4 CME activities between March 2024 and August 2024, and 654 matched comparison non-participants. All data are time aligned 3 months pre-/post-index date. After participating in case-based education, rheumatologists demonstrated 20% increase in evidence-based selection of individualized pharmacologic therapy for patients with RA who have failed a TNF inhibitor. Learners who participated in 1 or more activity were more likely to switch patients to JAK inhibitors following an anti-TNF therapy . Patients of CME learners were 26% more likely to be treated with JAK inhibitors versus the control group (P< .05).

Conclusion: The results of this RWO study confirms that participation in 1 or more CME activities within a curriculum is associated with improving the adoption of the latest evidence-based recommendations for use of novel therapies such as JAK inhibitors by rheumatologists, NPs, and PAs, aiming to improve the management and outcomes of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

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ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/effect-of-online-continuing-education-on-advancing-care-for-rheumatoid-arthritis-a-real-world-outcome-analysis/