Attempt of evaluation of infliximab therapy effects on the motor function of rheumatoid arthritis patients. Preliminary studies
Journal Title: Rehabilitacja Medyczna - Year 2005, Vol 9, Issue 4
Abstract
Introduction: Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFa) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Infliximab (Remicade) is an agent with neutralising effects on the TNFa biological activity. The aim of the study was to assess the dynamics of changes in motor function of patients with RA during infliximab treatment.Methods: Infliximab was administered at doses of 3 mg/kg in a 2-hour intravenous infusion for 14 weeks; initially, the infusions were given every 2 weeks, subsequently every 4 weeks. Eight women at moderately advanced or advanced stages of RA (stages IIş and IIIş according to Steinbrocker Staging System) hospitalised in the Rheumatology Ward of the Józef Dietl Hospital in Cracow were enrolled in the study. Mean serum CRP level in these patients was 3.15 mg%, and the 1-hour sedimentation rate was 55.5. The range of motion was evaluated using the Mechanical Joint Score (MJS) via mobility assessment in the joints of the hands, wrists, and in the elbow, shoulder, hip, knee and ankle joints. Grasp force of the hands was assessed by means of a sphygmomanometer cuff, and the intensity of the inflammatory process, pain and joint stiffness using the questionnaires Western Ontario Mc Master University Index (WOMAC) and Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Activity Index (RADAI).Results: Statistically significant improvement in the motor function of the joints assessed using MJS and in the quality of life measured by means of RADAI and WOMAC occurred as early as after 2 weeks of the therapy. Pain was markedly alleviated and the grasp force of the hands significantly improved. Normalisation of the CRP concentration and the sedimentaion rate was observed. The most pronounced improvement of all parameters was demonstrated after the first infliximab infusion. During the subsequent weeks, the improvement was significantly slower. In the 14th week of treatment, a marked exacerbation of the disease, yet not exceeding the pre-treatment intensity, was noted, likely due to the increased interval between the successive doses of the preparation.Conclusions: Administration of infliximab in patients with RA induces a quick and significant improvement in patients’ motor function; however, beneficial effects of this agent were attenuated during the subsequent phases of infliximab therapy. This effect may have been caused by the reduction of administration frequency of the preparation (initially every 2 weeks, then every 4 weeks). Therapy- associated occurrence of infliximab-neutralising antibodies resulting in a reduced efficacy of the treatment with this agent cannot be excluded either.
Authors and Affiliations
Jolanta Jaworek, Bożena Jasiak-Tyrkalska, Magdalena Matejak, Andrzej Jaworek
Keywords
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