Biologic Therapies Appear to Lower Sepsis Risk in RA Patients

Rheumatoid arthritis patients who were taking biologics were less likely to develop sepsis or die following serious infection.

Biologic therapies increase risk for infection in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Because tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is involved in development of sepsis, anti-TNF agents and interleukin (IL)-1 receptor antagonists were first studied in patients with sepsis (rather than as anti-RA medications) but showed little efficacy. However, in animal models, treatment with these agents before sepsis development did improve survival. In this observational study from Germany, investigators examined outcomes of serious infections in 12,000 RA patients who were being treated with biologic or conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).

During follow-up of 5 to 10 years, 1017 serious infections (most commonly pneumonia and bone and…

Reviewing Author

Jonathan S. Coblyn, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory BoardCVS Health

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Jonathan S. Coblyn, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory BoardCVS Health

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Biologic Therapies Appear to Lower Sepsis Risk in RA Patients

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Reviewing Author