[Efficacy and safety of infliximab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis].

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the efficacy and safety of Infliximab (IFX) plus methotrexate (MTX) combination therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS:

Prospectively observe refractory RA patients who were treated with combination therapy of MTX and IFX. IFX was infused at the dosage of 3 mg/kg, in week 0, 2, 6, and then every 8 weeks. During treatment, clinical variables, disease activity and adverse effects were evaluated.

RESULTS:

After treatment, 69.8%, 52.4%, 29.5% and 7.2% RA patients achieved ACR20, ACR50, ACR70 and ACR90 respectively. There were significant statistical differences in the changes of swollen joint counts, tender joint counts, VAS scale, patient' s global assessment, and physician's global assessment before and after therapy.

CONCLUSION:

Infliximab plus MTX achieved significant efficacy and safety in refractory RA patients.

• Authors: Wen Zhang, Qun Shi, Dong-hai Wu, Chun-de Bao, Nan-ping Yang, Zhan-guo Li, Ping Zhu, Xiao Zhang, Ci-bo Huang, Dong-yi He, Zhi-zhong Ye, Yi Tao, Yong-fei Fang, Jie-ruo Gu, Hua-xiang Wu, Ling-yun Sun, Xiu-yan Yang, Feng Huang, Hu-ji Xu, Dong-bao Zhao, Miao-jia Zhang, Yi Zheng, Mai-xing Ai, Jun Lu, Feng-chun Zhang
• Journal: Zhonghua yi xue za zhi (Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi) Vol. 89 Issue 27 Pg. 1876-80 (Jul 21 2009) ISSN: 0376-2491 [Print] China
• PMID: 19953907 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, English Abstract, Journal Article, Multicenter Study)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• Antirheumatic Agents
• Infliximab
• Methotrexate

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Antibodies, Monoclonal (therapeutic use)
• Antirheumatic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Arthritis, Rheumatoid (drug therapy)
• Female
• Humans
• Infliximab
• Male
• Methotrexate (therapeutic use)
• Middle Aged
• Prospective Studies
• Young Adult