Tumor necrosis factor-α antagonist therapy for concomitant rheumatoid arthritis and hepatitis C virus infection: a case series study

Clin Rheumatol. 2015 Jun;34(6):1039-46. doi: 10.1007/s10067-015-2962-6. Epub 2015 May 5.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate treatment response and hepatic safety of anti-tumor necrosis factor-α therapy among patients with concomitant rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We reviewed the charts of 101 consecutive RA patients who were eligible for anti-TNF-α therapy in the Chiayi Branch of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. Group A patients were sero-positive for anti-HCV antibodies and had HCV RNA but were negative for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Group B (the control group) patients were sero-negative for both anti-HCV antibodies and HBsAg. Response to anti-TNF-α treatment was assessed by calculating disease activity score at 28 joints (DAS28) at baseline and 5, 8, and 11 months after the start of TNF-α antagonist therapy. Percentage change in DAS28 from baseline to month 5 was 21.36 ± 8.01 % in group A and 26.98 ± 10.43 % in group B (p = 0.011). However, there was no obvious difference in treatment response between groups at other time points. Anti-TNF-α therapy was discontinued within 1 year of starting treatment in two subjects in group A and 4 in group B. Response to anti-TNF-α was better in group B than in group A at 5 months, but there was no substantial difference in response at the 1-year evaluation. Although the study sample was small, our results suggest that the safety of anti-TNF-α therapy is similar in RA patients with and without concomitant HCV infection.

Publication types

  • Clinical Study

MeSH terms

  • Adalimumab / therapeutic use*
  • Aged
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use
  • Antirheumatic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / complications
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy*
  • Azathioprine / therapeutic use
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / epidemiology*
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / etiology
  • Cohort Studies
  • Cyclosporine / therapeutic use
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Etanercept / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / complications*
  • Humans
  • Hydroxychloroquine / therapeutic use
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Isoxazoles / therapeutic use
  • Leflunomide
  • Male
  • Methotrexate / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sulfasalazine / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Isoxazoles
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Sulfasalazine
  • Hydroxychloroquine
  • Cyclosporine
  • Adalimumab
  • Leflunomide
  • Azathioprine
  • Etanercept
  • Methotrexate