Etanercept in severe active rheumatoid arthritis: first Australian experience

• Published in: Internal medicine journal 2006-10, Vol.36 (10), p.625-631
• Main Authors: Perera, L. C., Tymms, K. E., Wilson, B. J., Shadbolt, B., Brook, A. S., Dorai Raj, A. K., Khoo, K. B. K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Antirheumatic Agents - pharmacology; Antirheumatic Agents - therapeutic use; Arthritis, Rheumatoid - drug therapy; Arthritis, Rheumatoid - epidemiology; Australia; Australia - epidemiology; Biological and medical sciences; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Etanercept; Female; General aspects; Humans; Immunoglobulin G - pharmacology; Immunoglobulin G - therapeutic use; Inflammatory joint diseases; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Pain Measurement - drug effects; Prospective Studies; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor - therapeutic use; rheumatoid arthritis; Severity of Illness Index; treatment; tumour necrosis factor
• ISSN: 1444-0903; 1445-5994
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1445-5994.2006.01170.x

Background: Etanercept reduces disease activity in adults with chronic rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who are resistant to other therapies. Medicare Australia Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme subsidized treatment (since August 2003) restricts etanercept availability to a most drug‐resistant RA population. The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of etanercept in this unique group after 12 months of therapy. Methods: A prospective study of the first 50 consecutive private practice, adult RA patients whom were commenced on etanercept. The primary efficacy measures included short form 36 scores, Disease Activity Score 28, American College of Rheumatology (ACR) response improvement in per cent and the ACR individual core set components at baseline, 3 and 12 months. Analysis was by intention to treat. Results: There was significant improvement in all mean short form 36 component scores (P