[Infliximab in rheumatoid arthritis-use in a third level hospital].
OBJECTIVE
To study the conditions of infliximab use in rheumatoid arthritis, as well as the effectiveness and adverse effects of this therapy, and to perform an economic assessment of infliximab therapy in a third-level hospital.


METHODS
A retrospective study was performed including patients treated with infliximab from January 2001 to March 2003.


RESULTS
Twenty-five percent of patients received doses greater than 3 mg/kg, and 12% of them at intervals shorter than 8 weeks; 78% also received methotrexate concurrently. Adverse effects reported were similar in type to those described in the pro-duct's data sheet. Regarding therapy effectiveness, objective para-meters were seen to improve, less so the remaining parameters. Therapy cost was 5.6% of day hospital costs.


CONCLUSIONS
Anti-TNF drugs are a relevant alternative in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis because of their effectiveness-safety profile, but understanding their frame of use and following recommendations issued by scientific societies are important considerations.
Ruano Camps
R
R
Servicio de Farmacia, Hospital Carlos Haya, Malaga, Spain. rosalia.ruano@terra.es
Ordóñez Martí-Aguilar
M V
MV
Gallego Fernández
C
C
Coret Cagigal
V
V
Muñoz Castillo
I M
IM
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000069285:Infliximab; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D000069285:Infliximab