title: [Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with anakinra: a systematic review].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To perform a systematic review for evaluating efficacy and safety of anakinra in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
  
  
  METHODS
  The MedLine, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from January 2000 to February 2006 by using a high sensitive search that included every randomised controlled trial (RCTs) or controlled trial (CTs) that evaluated either efficacy or safety of Anakinra for the treatment of RA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The search identified four relevant studies to evaluate efficacy. Patients treated with anakinra achieved significantly better clinical responses than those treated with placebo. Anakinra combined with methotrexate provided significantly greater clinical benefit than methotrexate alone. Combination therapy with etanercept and anakinra provides no added benefit and an increased safety risk compared with etanercept alone. Results from a large, placebo-controlled safety study demonstrate that anakinra is safe and well tolerated. The most common adverse effect was a mild local inflammation over the puncture area.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This review confirmed both the efficacy and the safety of anakinra in the short term for the treatment of RA. Anakinra provides adequate clinical responses without major safety problems. This systematic review does not allow us to conclude on Anakinra responses in the long term.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Reumatología y Metabolismo Óseo. Hospital de la Zarzuela. Madrid. España.
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: de La Mata Llord
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: González Crespo
authors.forename: Jesús
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Maese Manzano