Rheumnow Podcast A JAKi CHAT: Shared Decision-Making in RA Sponsored by AbbVie Medical Affairs + Health Impact
Oct 1, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Dr. Kevin Winthrop, a Professor of infectious diseases and epidemiology, shares his insights on managing infection risks in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. He emphasizes the importance of shared decision-making between specialists, rheumatologists, and patients. The conversation highlights strategies for discussing the risks of uncontrolled RA and tailoring treatment based on individual patient factors. Winthrop introduces a new interactive tool to visualize personalized risks for JAK inhibitors, making complex decisions more accessible and patient-centered.
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Undertreated RA Raises Systemic Risks
- Poorly controlled RA increases risk of cardiovascular events, infections, and malignancy beyond symptoms.
- Achieving low disease activity or remission reduces these long-term risks and preserves function.
Set Remission And Bridge To Patient Goals
- Set remission as the treatment goal early and explain what remission means in plain terms.
- Then ask the patient about their functional goals and align treatment to what matters to them.
Screen History To Guide Drug Class Choice
- Explore patients' prior infection histories, shingles experience, and comorbid lung disease before choosing therapy.
- Steer away from certain classes for those with repeated infections or chronic lung infections and consider alternatives.