Digital vasculitis: a late complication of anti-tumour necrosis factor alpha therapy

Clin Rheumatol. 2008 Dec;27(12):1593-5. doi: 10.1007/s10067-008-1015-9. Epub 2008 Sep 27.

Abstract

Anti-tumour necrosis factor alpha therapy has led to significant advancement in the treatment of rheumatological disease. Rarely, anti-TNFalpha antagonists have been associated with vasculitis, predominantly cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis. We present the first case of angiographically-confirmed digital vasculitis occurring as a late complication of etanercept therapy. Our case adds to the limited repertoire of case reports of anti-TNFalpha induced vasculitis and highlights the potential risk of this serious complication occurring up to several years after initiation of these agents.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Angiography
  • Arthritis, Psoriatic / drug therapy*
  • Etanercept
  • Fingers / blood supply*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / adverse effects*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / etiology
  • Radial Artery / pathology
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Ulnar Artery / pathology
  • Vasculitis / chemically induced*
  • Vasculitis / pathology

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Etanercept