Effect of total arthroplasty combined with anti-tumor necrosis factor agents in attenuating systemic disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

We assessed the effect of total large-joint arthroplasty combined with anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We studied 45 RA patients (age 57.91 ± 12.74 years, RA duration 13.43 ± 8.28 years) who underwent total arthroplasty (35 knees, 19 hips, 3 elbows, and 1 ankle) between August 2002 and November 2009. All patients received anti-TNF agents (infliximab, 22; etanercept, 33; adalimumab, 3) during the period of the study (that is, they were being treated with the agents when operated on and postoperatively). The disease activity score 28 (DAS28)-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (mean ± standard deviation) in all patients improved significantly from baseline (just before the operation; 4.32 ± 0.99) to 1 year after the operation (3.35 ± 0.93) in contrast with the finding that the mean DAS28-ESR values had remained unchanged from 1 year before the operation to the baseline. Changes in clinical variables in the 58 cases were investigated at baseline, and at 4, 12, and 52 weeks after the operation. The patients were divided by a median split of baseline demographics into 2 groups for further evaluation. Compared with the high-value groups, those with low C-reactive protein and matrix metalloproteinase-3 values showed better results and had lower disease activity. Overall, the DAS28-ESR in both groups had improved 1 year after the operation. In RA patients who are being treated with anti-TNF agents, large-joint arthroplasty may be beneficial, not only for the relief of pain arising from joint destruction, but also for the systemic reduction of RA activity.