Demyelination during anti-TNF[alpha] therapy for ankylosing spondylitis

A 34-year-old ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patient on etanercept for 30 months presented to neurologists with paresthesia of his hands and feet. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans showed multifocal hyperintense lesions. Symptoms did not improve on stopping the anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) age...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Modern rheumatology 2012-04, Vol.22 (2), p.303
Main Authors: Mercieca, Cecilia, Vella, Norbert, Borg, Andrew A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Drug therapy
Inflammatory diseases
Rheumatology
Side effects
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:A 34-year-old ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patient on etanercept for 30 months presented to neurologists with paresthesia of his hands and feet. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans showed multifocal hyperintense lesions. Symptoms did not improve on stopping the anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agent. Few cases of demyelinating disease occurring after more than 2 years of treatment with anti-TNF agents have been reported in patients with AS. Opthalmologists, internists, neurologists, and rheumatologists need to be aware of these adverse events, as patients may present to any of these specialties many years after treatment.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
ISSN:1439-7595
1439-7609
DOI:10.1007/s10165-011-0498-4