Evolution of imaging findings, laboratory and functional parameters in rheumatoid arthritis patients after one year of treatment with anti-TNF-α agents

• Published in: Clinical and experimental rheumatology 2017-01, Vol.35 (1), p.43-52
• Main Authors: Detorakis, Efstathios E, Magkanas, Eleftherios, Lasithiotaki, Ismini, Sidiropoulos, Prodromos, Boumpas, Dimitrios T, Gourtsoyiannis, Nicholas, Antoniou, Katerina, Raissaki, Maria
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Antirheumatic Agents - therapeutic use; Arthritis, Rheumatoid - complications; Arthritis, Rheumatoid - diagnostic imaging; Arthritis, Rheumatoid - drug therapy; Disease Progression; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Hydroxychloroquine - therapeutic use; Infliximab - therapeutic use; Lung Diseases, Interstitial - diagnostic imaging; Lung Diseases, Interstitial - drug therapy; Lung Diseases, Interstitial - etiology; Male; Methotrexate - therapeutic use; Middle Aged; Respiratory Function Tests; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Treatment Outcome; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - antagonists & inhibitors
• ISSN: 0392-856X

To investigate the efficacy and safety of anti-TNF-α agent treatment compared to non-biologic DMARDs in rheumatoid arthritis patients. 82 consecutive patients, 29 males, 53 females, aged 42-79, diagnosed with RA and suitable for anti-TNF-α treatment composed two study groups: 42 with pre-existing rheumatoid arthritis-related interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) and 40 without RA-ILD. Respective control groups consisted of 44 patients with pre-existing RA-ILD and 44 patients without RA-ILD, treated with non-biologic DMARDs. All patients underwent chest high resolution computed tomography (HRCT), pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and peripheral blood biomarkers at baseline and after one year of treatment. There was a significant decrease of air trapping extent and bronchial wall thickening after treatment in RA-ILD and RA-non ILD study groups (p