Anakinra's efficacy is variable in refractory gout: report of ten cases.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of anakinra for patients with acute gout.


METHODS
We reviewed the charts of 10 patients who received anakinra for urate crystal-induced arthritis at the Hospital for Special Surgery since 2007. Demographic information, comorbidities, short-term treatment outcomes, and subsequent flares were reviewed.


RESULTS
Patients in our study had a high prevalence of comorbidities. All patients received corticosteroids before anakinra treatment. The mean number of anakinra injections was 3.2 per patient (100 mg subcutaneously per day). Six patients had a good response. Three patients had a partial response and 1 patient had no response. Nine patients had documented recurrent flares after discontinuing anakinra (ranging from 3 to 45 days after).


CONCLUSIONS
Anakinra is a therapeutic option for patients with acute urate crystal-induced arthritis who do not respond to or have a contraindication to traditional treatments. Although a short course of anakinra resulted in favorable outcomes for some of our patients, response rates were poorer in our study than in previously published reports, and relapses were common.
Chen
Kun
K
Rheumatology Division, Weill Cornell Medical College, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA. chenk@hss.edu
Fields
Theodore
T
Mancuso
Carol A
CA
Bass
Anne R
AR
Vasanth
Lisa
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006073:Gout / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein