Etanercept reduces synovitis as measured by magnetic resonance imaging in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis after only 6 weeks.
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate the efficacy of etanercept to reduce synovitis as measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as early as 6 weeks after starting treatment in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).


METHODS
Twenty-two patients with active RA despite disease modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) treatment were included in this prospective, controlled study. Patients were randomized in 2 groups. In the treatment group, etanercept was added at usual doses during 6 weeks. In the control group, patients continued with prior DMARD therapy. MRI of the dominant wrist and 2nd-5th MCP joints were obtained at baseline and at 6 weeks and evaluated according to OMERACT recommendations. Results of changes in synovitis in the treatment group were compared with changes in the control group.


RESULTS
Changes in synovitis measured by MRI of the hand (OMERACT evaluation) in the etanercept group showed a significant reduction after 6 weeks of treatment compared with no changes in the control group. Reduction of synovitis in the treatment group also showed good correlation with decrease of various clinical and laboratory measures.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with active RA despite DMARD therapy, etanercept, but not placebo, reduced synovitis as measured by MRI after 6 weeks.
Lisbona
Maria Pilar
MP
Department of Rheumatology, IMAS, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain.
Maymo
Joan
J
Perich
Javier
J
Almirall
Miriam
M
Pérez-García
Carolina
C
Carbonell
Jordi
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D000068800:Etanercept; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007596:Joints / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D013585:Synovitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000068800:Etanercept