Treatment with either leflunomide or adalimumab reduces anaemia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease of the joints, which causes joint pain and disability. Anaemia is a frequent extra-articular manifestation in rheumatoid arthritis, affecting 30-70% of the patients; presenting a negative impact on patient´s quality of life. Some of the drugs used in rheumatoid arthritis treatment improve anaemia; but little is known on the beneficial effects of the anti-rheumatic leflunomide or the anti-TNFα adalimumab, in this parameter. We investigated the incidence of anaemia in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated or not with leflunomide or adalimumab. We also assessed whether anaemia correlates with disease activity. Anaemia was present in patients who had just been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and had never taken disease modifying agents or biologicals (non-specific therapy group), but not in those taking either leflunomide or adalimumab. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate was increased in patients with non-specific therapy in comparison with those taking either leflunomide or adalimumab. Anaemia correlated with increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate. We suggest that leflunomide and adalimumab may be useful in treating anaemia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Amelioration of Extra-articular Effects Associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis Using Anti-arthritic Herbal Formulations

“…From this study, there were significant increases in the PCV and Hb of the rats that were treated with the herbal formulations, compared to the arthritic group which exhibited significantly low levels of these parameters. The low levels of these haematological parameters in the arthritic control group indicate anaemia which has been associated with rheumatoid arthritis [41]. It has been reported that both anaemias of chronic disease (ACD) and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) occurs in rheumatoid arthritis [42].…”

Factors influencing the Sharp score of 1057 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and anemia: a retrospective study

“…In prospective cohort research, Pereira et al. 34 noted that leflunomide or the anti-TNFα antibody adalimumab repressed anemia in patients with RA and found a close association between anemia and enhanced ESR. Recent work indicated that serum Fe and ferritin levels are strongly correlated with osteoporosis in patients with RA.…”

“…Vegh et al 33 conducted multicenter retrospective research that defined rapid radiation progression (RRP) as an increase of the Sharp score greater than or equal to 5 within 1 year and demonstrated that 18% of patients with RA had a high risk of RRP. In prospective cohort research, Pereira et al 34 noted that leflunomide or the anti-TNFa antibody adalimumab repressed anemia in patients with RA and found a close association between anemia and enhanced ESR. Recent work indicated that serum Fe and ferritin levels are strongly correlated with osteoporosis in patients with RA.…”

İnflamatuar Barsak Hastalığında Adalimumab Tedavisinin Demir Parametreleri ve Anemi Üzerindeki Etkileri

“…'nın 2011 yılında yaptıkları randomize kontrollü çalışmada 778 hasta değerlendirilmiş ve Crohn hastalarında Adalimumab tedavisinin hem 26. hem de 56. haftalarında Hb ve Htc değerlerinde yükselme gösterilmiştir (15). Romatoid artritte uygulanan Adalimumab tedavisinin de anemi üzerine iyileştirici etkisi olduğunu gösteren çalışmalar mevcuttur (18,19). Çalışmamızda da literatürle uyumlu olarak Hb ve Htc değerlerinde her iki hasta grubunda da tedavi öncesine göre anlamlı yükselme gözlenmiştir.…”

“…Aynı zamanda anemi oranının hastalık süresine paralel olarak önemli ölçüde artmış olduğunu gösteren çalışmalar mevcuttur (21,22). Romatoid artrit ve İBH nedeniyle Adalimumab tedavisi alan hastalarda sedimantasyon ve CRP gibi inflamatuar parametrelerde belirgin azalma gösterilmiştir (15,18,19). Çalışmamızda da literatürle uyumlu olarak her iki hasta grubunda da hem sedimantasyon hem de CRP değerlerinde anlamlı azalma olduğu görülmüştür.…”