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Published on: November 16, 2018
Infectious complications of biologic agents
Emilio Martin-Mola1, Alejandro Balsa
1Department of Rheumatology, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Paseo de la Castellana 261, Madrid 28046, Spain. emartinmola.hulp@salud.madrid.org
Rheumatic Diseases Clinics of North America
|June 2, 2009
Summary
Biologic agents, including tumor necrosis factor antagonists, are increasingly used for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and autoimmune diseases. These treatments are linked to a higher risk of infection, with varying reported risks across studies.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Infection is a common complication in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other autoimmune conditions.
- The availability of biologic agents for RA treatment has expanded significantly since 2000.
- Numerous safety reports detail patient experiences with these novel therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a curated overview of the most relevant studies concerning infection risk in patients treated with biologic agents for RA.
- To synthesize current understanding of the relationship between biologic therapies and infection incidence in autoimmune diseases.
Main Methods:
- Review and selection of key studies from the literature.
- Analysis of safety reports and clinical trial data.
- Focus on biologic agents, particularly tumor necrosis factor antagonists.
Main Results:
- Biologic agents, especially tumor necrosis factor antagonists, are frequently associated with an increased incidence of infections in RA patients.
- The reported risk of developing infections varies considerably among different studies.
- This highlights the need for careful monitoring and risk assessment.
Conclusions:
- Biologic therapies offer significant treatment advancements for RA but necessitate vigilance regarding infection risks.
- Further research and standardized reporting are crucial to accurately quantify and manage infection risks associated with these agents.
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