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Decrease of fructosamine levels during treatment with adalimumab in patients with both diabetes and rheumatoid
I C van Eijk1, M J L Peters, M T Nurmohamed
1Department of Rheumatology, Jan van Breemen Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) blockade may improve blood sugar control in rheumatoid arthritis patients with diabetes. Adalimumab therapy led to lower fructosamine levels, suggesting better glycaemic management.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine implicated in obesity and insulin resistance.
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and diabetes mellitus often coexist, presenting complex management challenges.
Observation:
- Two cases of RA patients with concurrent diabetes mellitus were treated with adalimumab, a TNFalpha-blocking agent, for active RA.
- These patients exhibited a significant reduction in fructosamine levels post-adalimumab initiation.
Findings:
- Adalimumab therapy correlated with improved glycaemic control, indicated by decreased fructosamine.
- TNFalpha blockade may positively impact glucose metabolism in this patient population.
Implications:
- TNFalpha blockade could be a therapeutic strategy for enhancing glycaemic control in RA patients with diabetes.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying TNFalpha's role in insulin resistance and diabetes.
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