Abstract
The use of biological therapy in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis is getting more general. Basically with biologic therapy the action of a messenger of inflammation e.g. tumor necrosis factor (TNF) can be blocked - called anti-TNF therapy. The risk of this kind of impediment is becoming susceptible to infections or latent disease may turn into active and then may easier spread. The main danger is tuberculosis still other non-specific infections or malignant tumors may occur.
A retrospective study was made to analyze the data of patients treated with biological therapy and hospitalized in our institute because of severe pulmonary infections. The aim of this study was to detect the incidence and severity of these complications in a real life population.
Between 2008 and 2010 of 28705 patients with pulmonary disease were treated in our institute, 59 patients of them suffered rheumatic disease: 52 patients from rheumatoid arthritis and 7 of ankylosing spondylitis. 27 of 59 patients received some sort of non-biological therapy, 23 of 59 got no medication and we screened 3 patients before the biological therapy. Six of the 9 patients who received biological therapy had complications: 5 cases of tuberculosis, 1 case of pulmonary abscess, 1 case of invasive aspergillosis. We did not observed malignant tumor among them. In this particular period 1 patient treated by biological therapy died because of tuberculosis.
Our analysis assured the relevance of correct preliminary pulmonary examinations and follow-up during biologic therapy of rheumatic disease. Despite the possible occurrence of severe complications this therapy has got major efficiency in treating rheumatic diseases.
- © 2011 ERS