Tapering of TNF-α Inhibitors is Feasible for Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients who have Achieved Remission

Der Yuan Chen

doi:10.21767/2471-8153.100011

Abstract

1Department of Medical Education and Research, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan 2Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan 3Faculty of Medicine, National Yang Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan 4Institute of Biomedical Science and Rong Hsing Research Center for Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan *Corresponding author: Dr. Der-Yuan Chen, Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, No. 1650, Sec. 4, Taiwan Boulevard, Taichung 40705, Taiwan, Tel: +886-4-23593354; E-mail: dychen@vghtc.gov.tw

Highlights

Considering the dose-dependent adverse effects and economic burdens of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α inhibitors [1,2], the feasibility of their tapering, either dose reduction or injection spacing, after achievement of remission for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients should be evaluated
Emery et al revealed that tapering of TNF-α inhibitors for early RA patients who were in remission resulted in better disease control than withdrawal of biologics [4]
The relapses of disease activity is more common in RA patients who received tapering of TNF-α inhibitors compared with those under continuously full dosage of biologics [5,6,7], there was no significant difference in radiographic or functional outcome [6,7]

Summary

Introduction

Considering the dose-dependent adverse effects and economic burdens of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α inhibitors [1,2], the feasibility of their tapering, either dose reduction or injection spacing, after achievement of remission for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients should be evaluated. *Corresponding author: Dr Der-Yuan Chen, Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, No 1650, Sec. 4, Taiwan Boulevard, Taichung 40705, Taiwan, Tel: +886-4-23593354; E-mail: dychen@vghtc.gov.tw

Results

Conclusion