title: Large Vessel Vasculitis Occurring in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patient under Anti-TNF Therapy.
abstract: Vasculitis is a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by the presence of necrotic inflammatory phenomena and destruction of blood vessels. Vasculitis is classified as primary (idiopathic) or secondary to infections, connective tissue diseases and drugs but can also be considered as a paraneoplastic phenomenon. Evidence shows that the increasing use of biological agents results in a growing number of reports of autoimmune diseases induced by these therapies. An inflammatory articular chronic disease such as rheumatoid arthritis may be complicated by extra-articular manifestations, such as cutaneous or systemic vasculitis. Herewith, we describe the case of a great vessels arteritis in a patient affected by rheumatoid arthritis in therapy with an anti-TNF agent (etanercept).
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via del Pozzo No. 71, 41124 Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cestelli
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via del Pozzo No. 71, 41124 Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Amelia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Spinella
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via del Pozzo No. 71, 41124 Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Campomori
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Unit, Federico II University Hospital of Napoli, Via S. Pansini No. 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Carmela
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Esposito
authors.affiliation: Emergency Medicine Unit, Department of Medicine, Emergency Medicine and Medical Specialities, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via del Pozzo No. 71, 41124 Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ciaffi
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic, Clinical and Public Health Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via del Pozzo No. 71, 41124 Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Gilda
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sandri
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via del Pozzo No. 71, 41124 Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Clodoveo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ferri