RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The incidence of tuberculosis in patients taking anti TNF alpha therapy
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP p1945
VO 38
IS Suppl 55
A1 Dogan, Coskun
A1 Kiral, Nesrin
A1 Cömert, Sevda
A1 Fidan, Ali
A1 Salepci, Banu
A1 Caglayan, Benan
YR 2011
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p1945.abstract
AB Aim: The aim of study is to investigate the incidence of tuberculosis during the treatment in patients taking anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (anti TNF-α).Material/Method: The patients with rheumotoid arthritis,ankylosing spondylitis,jeuvenil rheumotoid arthritis or psoriatic arthiritis who were planned to treat with anti TNF-α or taking anti TNF-α therapy and sent to our pulmonary diseases outpatient clinic between July 2007-February 2010 were included in this study.PPD tests and chest X-rays were evaluated.Chest x-rays were examined for tuberculous sequelea and the patients suspicious for tuberculous sequelea were asked for contact with a tuberculosis case,physical examinations were done and their sputum was examined for acid-fast bacilli.Results: Two hundred and twenty patients were included in the study.Anti TNF-α therapy was given the first time in 168 patients.Fifty two patients were already taking anti TNF-α therapy and directed to our outpatient clinic for follow-up.One hundred seventy nine patients were followed up regularly,41 patients did not continue follow-up and were excluded.Median follow-up period was 17 months (max: 31; min: 3 months). Two patients were diagnosed as tuberculosis during antiTNF-α therapy.Conclusion: According to the data of ministry of health,the incidence of tuberculosis is 0.0026% in our country.In our study it is estabilished as 1.1%.When compared with the community,the incidence of tuberculosis is increased with antiTNF-α therapy.The blockade of TNF which one of the fundamental cytokins in human defense system leads to an increase in tuberculosis infection.The patients who were planned to treat with anti TNF-α should be monitored closely for tuberculosis during the treatment.