Ten-year retrospective review of the incidence of serious infections in patients on biologic disease modifying agents for rheumatoid arthritis in three tertiary hospitals in Western Australia.

Published in: Internal medicine journal (2020)

Age and duration of bDMARD use were statistically significant factors associated with an increased risk of SI. Comorbidities did not play a significant role in increasing the incidence of SI. Patients who were on both glucocorticoids and bDMARDs did not have a significant increase in length of stay when compared with patients who were just on bDMARDs. More research is needed in this area with larger numbers to draw statistically significant conclusions regarding the role of comorbidities in SI risk and the individual infection risk associated with each bDMARD.

Keyphrases

rheumatoid arthritis
end stage renal disease
room temperature
risk factors
newly diagnosed
ejection fraction
prognostic factors
peritoneal dialysis
disease activity
south africa