More Evidence Links TNF Blockers to Reduced Heart Risk in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

There is more evidence that suggests the anti-inflammatory effect of TNF blockers, used to treat inflammatory types of arthritis, decreases cardiovascular risk in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, according to a report on MDConsult.com. From a meta-analysis of four placebo-controlled trials involving Humira (adalimumab) and about 2,500 rheumatoid arthritis patients and two prospective cohort studies of 828 rheumatoid arthritis patients which compared those treated with Humira or Enbrel to others not treated with a TNF blocker, researchers concluded that treatment with a TNF blocker decreased cardiovascular events by 50 percent.

While the findings are statistically significant, researchers did warn that they could not say with 100% certainty whether the decreased cardiovascular risk was due to the TNF blockers or perhaps due to a tendency to treat patients who already have lower cardiovascular risk with TNF blockers. More studies are needed to confirm the findings.

Related Articles:

• All About TNF Blockers
• Rheumatoid Arthritis Increases Heart Disease Risk
• The Facts of Enbrel
• The Facts of Remicade
• The Facts of Humira
• Simponi - What You Should Know
• Cimzia - What You Should Know

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