Permanent renal loss following tumor necrosis factor α antagonists for arthritis

Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) antagonists are now widely used in the treatment of aggressive rheumatoid arthritis and are generally well tolerated. Although rare, they could induce systemic lupus erythematosus, glomerulonephritis, and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody associated systemic vasculitis. Tumor necrosis factor α antagonists associated glomerulonephritis usually subsides after discontinuation of the therapy and subsequent initiation of corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents. Here we describe crescentic glomerulonephritis progression to end-stage renal disease in a patient following two doses of TNF-α antagonists for the treatment of reactive arthritis. To our knowledge, dialysis dependent permanent renal loss after TNF-α antagonists has not yet been reported. We suggest the renal function should be closely monitored in patients treated with TNF-α antagonists by rheumatologists.