Yueh-Tsung Lee

1 Introduction Rheumatic diseases are autoimmune disorders characterized by chronic inflammation. In addition to physical complications, recent clinical evidence underscores that these conditions often present as complex multimorbidity, increasing the risk of systemic issues such as cancer and pulmonary diseases [1, 2]. More importantly, this persistent inflammation is closely linked to neuropsychiatric comorbidities, especially depression.

1 Introduction Over the past two decades, treatment options for immune-mediated diseases have expanded beyond corticosteroids, immunomodulators, and biologics. Despite the success of anti-TNF and other targeted agents, many patients remain refractory or face safety concerns. Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors have thus emerged as an attractive oral alternative, with upadacitinib—a selective JAK1 inhibitor—approved since 2019 for multiple indications.