Demyelination occurring during anti–tumor necrosis factor α therapy for inflammatory arthritides

• Published in: Arthritis and rheumatism 2001-12, Vol.44 (12), p.2862-2869
• Main Authors: Mohan, Niveditha, Edwards, Evelyne T., Cupps, Thomas R., Oliverio, Patrick J., Sandberg, Glenn, Crayton, Heidi, Richert, John R., Siegel, Jeffrey N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems; Antirheumatic Agents - adverse effects; Arthritis, Rheumatoid - drug therapy; Biopsy; Brain - pathology; Contraindications; Demyelinating Diseases - etiology; Demyelinating Diseases - pathology; Etanercept; Female; Humans; Immunoglobulin G - adverse effects; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Multiple Sclerosis - drug therapy; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - antagonists & inhibitors; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - immunology
• ISSN: 0004-3591; 1529-0131
• DOI: 10.1002/1529-0131(200112)44:12<2862::AID-ART474>3.0.CO;2-W

Objective To review the occurrence of neurologic events suggestive of demyelination during anti–tumor necrosis factor α (anti‐TNFα) therapy for inflammatory arthritides. Methods The Adverse Events Reporting System of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was queried following a report of a patient with refractory rheumatoid arthritis who developed confusion and difficulty with walking after receiving etanercept for 4 months. Results Nineteen patients with similar neurologic events were identified from the FDA database, 17 following etanercept administration and 2 following infliximab administration for inflammatory arthritis. All neurologic events were temporally related to anti‐TNFα therapy, with partial or complete resolution on discontinuation. One patient exhibited a positive rechallenge phenomenon. Conclusion Further surveillance and studies are required to better define risk factors for and frequency of adverse events and their relationship to anti‐TNFα therapies. Until more long‐term safety data are available, consideration should be given to avoiding anti‐TNFα therapy in patients with preexisting multiple sclerosis and to discontinuing anti‐TNFα therapy immediately when new neurologic signs and symptoms occur, pending an appropriate evaluation.