2017 Volume 29 Issue 4 Pages 238-250
Objectives：Introduction of biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients is well documented, however, there are few reports of biologic use in established elderly RA patients over 75 years of age. We herein evaluated the use of etanercept (ETN), which has a short half-life and considered to be safe, for elderly RA patients.
Patients and Methods：Out of 336 patients treated with ETN at Niigata Rheumatic Center from May 2008 to March 2014, the clinical course and data of the patients who started ETN at 75 years of age or older were analyzed. The efficacy and safety of ETN was evaluated at 24 months.
Results：Forty-eight patients (18 males, 30 females) with a median age of 79.0 ± 2.9 years were analyzed. Clinical parameters such as articular findings, serum marker level, and the disease activity score improved significantly and the average dose of prednisolone (PSL) after using ETN were also decreased significantly compared with before using it. Adverse events occurred in 11 patients. Seven patients stopped ETN and 4 of these patients developed an infection. One patient (85 years of age) died due to tuberculosis and another (80 years of age) died due to pneumocystis pneumonia.
Conclusions：We may have to pay attention to the adverse event especially in the serious infection for elderly RA patients, but ETN is thought to be an effective treatment for elderly RA patients over 75 years of age.
