Pulmonary complications of infliximab therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
We describe 5 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who developed pulmonary complications following infliximab therapy; 4 patients had preexisting usual interstitial pneumonia. As the pathophysiology of the pulmonary insult is unknown, we advise caution in the use of anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha therapy in patients with RA with underlying lung disease of sufficient severity to withhold methotrexate treatment.
Ostör
Andrew J K
AJ
Rheumatology Department, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK. andrew.ostor@addenbrookes.nhs.uk
Chilvers
Edwin R
ER
Somerville
Margaret F
MF
Lim
Anita Y N
AY
Lane
Suzanne E
SE
Crisp
Adrian J
AJ
Scott
David G I
DG
D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000069285:Infliximab; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000069285:Infliximab