| Abstract | Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease with a progressive course, that frequently provokes permanent incapacity if not adequately treated. Rheumatoid arthritis may be not responsive to the common second line drugs. This study was aimed to treat 15 patients affected by severe refractory rheumatoid arthritis with infliximab. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients with refractory rheumatoid arthritis were treated with infliximab--monoclonal antibody direct to TNF alpha--in association with methotrexate or azathioprine. Infliximab was administered at the dosage of 3 mg/Kg at the weeks 0, 2 and 6 and then every 8 weeks. RESULTS: About half patients ameliorated in agreement with both ACR 20 criteria and DAS28 evaluation. The clinical improvement was accompanied by a reduction of the steroid daily dosage. No relevant side effects were observed. CONCLUSION: Infliximab is effective in a significant number of patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis, with a good tolerability. |
| Authors | Paola Caramaschi, Sabrina Canestrini, Domenico Biasi, Antonio Carletto, Cinzia Scambi, Anna Scarperi, Lisa Maria Bambara
(Affiliation: Cattedra di Reumatologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università, Verona.)
|
| Journal | Recenti progressi in medicina
(Recenti Prog Med)
Vol. 93
Issue 1
Pg. 19-24
(Jan 2002)
ISSN: 0034-1193 Italy |
| Vernacular Title | Infliximab nell'artrite reumatoide aggressiva e refrattaria. Esperienza preliminare. |
| PMID | 11850995
(Publication Type: Comparative Study, English Abstract, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
|
| Chemical References |
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents
- Antibodies, Monoclonal
- Antirheumatic Agents
- Immunosuppressive Agents
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
- infliximab
- Azathioprine
- Prednisone
- Methotrexate
|
| Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Antibodies, Monoclonal
(administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
- Antirheumatic Agents
(administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid
(diagnosis, drug therapy)
- Azathioprine
(therapeutic use)
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Humans
- Immunosuppressive Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Male
- Methotrexate
(therapeutic use)
- Middle Aged
- Pilot Projects
- Prednisone
(therapeutic use)
- Time Factors
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
(immunology)
|
