Intentional etanercept use during pregnancy for maintenance of remission in rheumatoid arthritis.
OBJECTIVE
Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. TNF inhibitors are effective in the treatment of signs and symptoms of the disease although their safety during pregnancy is debated.


METHODS
Two cases of women with rheumatoid arthritis in complete remission of the disease with etanercept who decided to continue the therapy throughout their pregnancy are presented. A longitudinal evaluation of the disease activity showed a satisfactory control and good pregnancy outcomes were obtained. A flare of the disease after delivery was not observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Etanercept seems to be safe during pregnancy and lactation. A good control of the activity of the disease was reported throughout the pregnancy and during puerperium, when a reactivation of rheumatoid arthritis is often observed.
Department of Internal Medicine and Public Health, University of Bari, Bari, Italy. ezio.scioscia@hotmail.com
Crescenzio
C
Scioscia
Marco
M
Scioscia
Maria Grazia
MG
Anelli
Emanuela
E
Praino
Stefano
S
Bettocchi
Giovanni
G
Lapadula
D000328:Adult; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000068800:Etanercept; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007774:Lactation / Q000187:drug effects; D050498:Live Birth; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012074:Remission Induction; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D000068800:Etanercept