Title: Tofacitinib as a maintenance therapy in patients with ulcerative colitis stratified by
OCTAVE Sustain baseline Mayo endoscopic subscore
Version: 2 Date: 15 May 2022
Reviewer's report:
This is a post-hoc analysis of the Octave trials with specific focus on the MES score and how
this relates to patient outcomes. The study is well-conducted and the statistical analyses appear
sound.
The authors have already acknowledged the major deficiencies in the study in the discussion,
and this includes the relatively small sample size which has somewhat limited the analysis
conclusions. Never-the-less the study presents an important finding with implications for
clinical practice. The study suggests that tofacitinib patients should be offered an 8 week
flexible sigmoidoscopy to guide ongoing treatment dose. This provides clinicians and patients
reassurance that  objective disease assessment (rather than relying in clinical reposes alone) is
appropriate before dropping to a 5mg BD dose. As such this study is a valuable contribution
to the field.
Title: Tofacitinib as a maintenance therapy in patients with ulcerative colitis stratified by
OCTAVE Sustain baseline Mayo endoscopic subscore
Version: 2 Date: 15 May 2022
Reviewer's report:
This is a post-hoc analysis of the Octave trials with specific focus on the MES score and how
this relates to patient outcomes. The study is well-conducted and the statistical analyses appear
sound.
The authors have already acknowledged the major deficiencies in the study in the discussion,
and this includes the relatively small sample size which has somewhat limited the analysis
conclusions. Never-the-less the study presents an important finding with implications for
clinical practice. The study suggests that tofacitinib patients should be offered an 8 week
flexible sigmoidoscopy to guide ongoing treatment dose. This provides clinicians and patients
reassurance that  objective disease assessment (rather than relying in clinical reposes alone) is
appropriate before dropping to a 5mg BD dose. As such this study is a valuable contribution
to the field.
Please review this paper.
user
Title: Tofacitinib as a maintenance therapy in patients with ulcerative colitis stratified by
OCTAVE Sustain baseline Mayo endoscopic subscore
Version: 2 Date: 15 May 2022
Reviewer's report:
This is a post-hoc analysis of the Octave trials with specific focus on the MES score and how
this relates to patient outcomes. The study is well-conducted and the statistical analyses appear
sound.
The authors have already acknowledged the major deficiencies in the study in the discussion,
and this includes the relatively small sample size which has somewhat limited the analysis
conclusions. Never-the-less the study presents an important finding with implications for
clinical practice. The study suggests that tofacitinib patients should be offered an 8 week
flexible sigmoidoscopy to guide ongoing treatment dose. This provides clinicians and patients
reassurance that  objective disease assessment (rather than relying in clinical reposes alone) is
appropriate before dropping to a 5mg BD dose. As such this study is a valuable contribution
to the field.
assistant