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Current Rheumatology Reports
Published in: Current Rheumatology Reports 10/2016

01-10-2016 | Rheumatoid Arthritis (LW Moreland, Section Editor)

Infections With Biologics in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Related Conditions: a Scoping Review of Serious or Hospitalized Infections in Observational Studies

Author: Jasvinder A. Singh

Published in: Current Rheumatology Reports | Issue 10/2016

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Abstract

Biologic use is a major advance in the treatment of several autoimmune conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis. In this review, we summarize key studies of serious/hospitalized infections in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA is a risk factor for infections. High RA disease activity is associated with higher risk of serious infection. The risk of serious infections with tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) biologics is increased in the first 6 months of initiating therapy, and this risk was higher compared to the use of traditional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Emerging data also suggest that biologics may differ from each other regarding the risk of serious or hospitalized infections. Past history of serious infections, glucocorticoid dose, and older age were other important predictors of risk of serious infections in patients treated with biologics.
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Metadata
Title
Infections With Biologics in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Related Conditions: a Scoping Review of Serious or Hospitalized Infections in Observational Studies
Author
Jasvinder A. Singh
Publication date
01-10-2016
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Rheumatology Reports / Issue 10/2016
Print ISSN: 1523-3774
Electronic ISSN: 1534-6307
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11926-016-0609-5

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