TNF Blockers for Rheumatoid Arthritis - Infection Risk Assessed in Older Patients

The risk of serious bacterial infections following initiation of treatment with TNF blocker drugs for older rheumatoid arthritis patients was assessed by researchers. From a total of 15,597 elderly rheumatoid arthritis patients (all of whom were 65 years and older), researchers identified those who were prescribed a DMARD (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug) from 1995 through 2003.

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Initiation of the following medications was compared to initiation of methotrexate:

• TNF blockers (i.e. Enbrel, Remicade, Humira)
• cytotoxic agents other than methotrexate
• noncytotoxic agents
• glucocorticoids

Researchers looked for serious bacterial infections that required hospitalization. According to study results published in the June 2007 issue of Arthritis and Rheumatism, no increased risk of serious bacterial infections was found among users of TNF blockers compared with methotrexate users. Glucocorticoid use, however, showed a dose-dependent increase in serious bacterial infections.

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