Sunday, November 2, 2014

The Comparative Safety of TNF Inhibitors in Rheumatoid Arthritis - A Meta-Analysis Update of 44 Randomized Controlled Trials

TNF - tumor necrosis factor is the action that Dr. Edward Tobinick  claims is the main problem with recovery from stroke. He uses Etanercept and injects it into the neck in a patented way. This may give your doctor some more information on risks of using this.
http://www.amjmed.com/article/S0002-9343%2814%2900488-4/abstract?rss=yes
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Young Hee Rho, MD, PhD, MPH
, , ,
Hyon K. Choi, MD, DrPH
Publication stage: In Press Accepted Manuscript

Highlights

  • Adalimumab, certolizumab pegol, and infliximab are associated with a higher risk of serious infection, which appears to contribute to higher rates of discontinuation.
  • In contrast, etanercept showed a lower rate of discontinuation with a tendency towards a lower rate of serious infection.
  • These comparative safety findings should inform clinical and policy decision making in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate and update the safety data from randomized controlled trials of TNF inhibitors (TNFis) in patients treated for rheumatoid arthritis.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted from 1990 through May 2013. All studies included were randomized, double blind, controlled trials of patients with rheumatoid arthritis that evaluated adalimumab, certolizumab pegol, etanercept, golimumab, or infliximab treatment. The serious adverse events and discontinuation rates were abstracted, and risk estimates were calculated by Peto odds ratios (ORs).

Results

Forty-four randomized controlled trials involving 11,700 subjects receiving TNFis and 5,901 subjects receiving placebo and/or traditional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) were included. TNFi treatment as a group was associated with a higher risk of serious infection (OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.13-1.78) and treatment discontinuation due to adverse events (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.06-1.43) compared with placebo and/or traditional DMARD treatments. Specifically, patients on adalimumab, certolizumab pegol, and infliximab had an increased risk of serious infection (OR, 1.69, 1.98, and 1.63) and showed an increased risk of discontinuation due to adverse events (OR, 1.38, 1.67 and 2.04). In contrast, patients on etanercept had a decreased risk of discontinuation due to adverse events (OR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.55-0.93). Although ORs for malignancy varied across the different TNFis, none reached a statistical significance.

Conclusion

These meta-analysis updates of the comparative safety of TNFis suggest a higher risk of serious infection associated with adalimumab, certolizumab pegol, and infliximab, which appears to contribute to higher rates of discontinuation. In contrast, etanercept use showed a lower rate of discontinuation. These data may help guide clinical comparative decision making in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.

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