title: Efficacy of etanercept and complete decongestive physical therapy in bilateral lower-limb lymphoedema associated with rheumatoid arthritis: a case report.
abstract: A 54-y-old patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and bilateral lower-limb lymphoedema is presented. Complete decongestive physical therapy (CDP) is the cornerstone of the management programme in all patients suffering from lymphoedema associated with RA, but it is not clear which therapy is the most effective in decreasing the oedema. We report on a patient with bilateral lower-limb lymphoedema associated with RA who, after receiving etanercept and CDP, showed moderate improvement. There is little information on the benefit of etanercept therapy for the extra-articular manifestations of RA. Further research is necessary to confirm the beneficial effect of etanercept and CDP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ege, 35100, Bornova, Izmir, Turkey. eyigor@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Sibel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Eyigor
authors.forename: Hale
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Karapolat
authors.forename: Yeşim
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kirazli
mesh_terms: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D000068800:Etanercept; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D035002:Lower Extremity; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000068800:Etanercept