D A Kietz1, P H Pepmueller, T L Moore. 1. Division of Rheumatology, Departments of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, St Louis University Health Sciences Center, St Louis, MO, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To analyse the treatment response to etanercept in patients with polyarticular course juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). METHODS: 22 patients with polyarticular course JIA (19 females, three males; mean age 13.9 years; mean disease duration 6.3 years; 15 with polyarticular onset, seven with systemic onset, one with residual systemic activity; eight rheumatoid factor positive; eight with erosive disease) were treated with etanercept for up to 24 months. Etanercept was given subcutaneously at 0.4 mg/kg twice a week. Treatment response was ascertained in an open prospective study. RESULTS: All patients showed impressive clinical improvement, with a decrease in swollen joint count by an average of 10.1 joints (mean of 49% decrease), a decrease in tender joint count by 9.3 joints (mean of 94%), and decrease in total joint count by 11.2 joints (mean of 48%). Duration of morning stiffness decreased to less than 10 minutes. Furthermore, haemoglobin concentration increased on average by 14 g/l (mean of 15.3%) and packed cell volume increased by 0.035 (mean increase of 12%), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate decreased on average by 42.8 mm/1st h (mean decrease of 64%). No major side effects were noted. CONCLUSION: Etanercept continues to be clinically effective and well tolerated in patients with polyarticular course JIA over a two year period.
OBJECTIVE: To analyse the treatment response to etanercept in patients with polyarticular course juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). METHODS: 22 patients with polyarticular course JIA (19 females, three males; mean age 13.9 years; mean disease duration 6.3 years; 15 with polyarticular onset, seven with systemic onset, one with residual systemic activity; eight rheumatoid factor positive; eight with erosive disease) were treated with etanercept for up to 24 months. Etanercept was given subcutaneously at 0.4 mg/kg twice a week. Treatment response was ascertained in an open prospective study. RESULTS: All patients showed impressive clinical improvement, with a decrease in swollen joint count by an average of 10.1 joints (mean of 49% decrease), a decrease in tender joint count by 9.3 joints (mean of 94%), and decrease in total joint count by 11.2 joints (mean of 48%). Duration of morning stiffness decreased to less than 10 minutes. Furthermore, haemoglobin concentration increased on average by 14 g/l (mean of 15.3%) and packed cell volume increased by 0.035 (mean increase of 12%), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate decreased on average by 42.8 mm/1st h (mean decrease of 64%). No major side effects were noted. CONCLUSION: Etanercept continues to be clinically effective and well tolerated in patients with polyarticular course JIA over a two year period.
Authors: G Horneff; H Schmeling; T Biedermann; I Foeldvari; G Ganser; H J Girschick; T Hospach; H I Huppertz; R Keitzer; R M Küster; H Michels; D Moebius; B Rogalski; A Thon Journal: Ann Rheum Dis Date: 2004-04-28 Impact factor: 19.103