Severe pulmonary infections due to biological therapy of rheumatic diseases

Ref ID: 18417

Author:

Gergely Lupkovics, Csongor Kiss, Akos Lantos, Erzsebet Fajt,
Agnes Paraczki, Edina Tolnay.

Author address:

2nd Dept. of Pulmonology, Pest County
Institute of Pulmonology, Torokbalint, Hungary; 1st Dept. of Pulmonology, Pest
County Institute of Pulmonology, Torokbalint, Hungary

Full conference title:

European Respiratory Congress

Abstract:

The use of biological therapy in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and
ankylosing spondylitis is getting more general. Basically with biologic therapy the
action of a messenger of inflammation e.g. tumor necrosis factor (TNF) can be
blocked – called anti-TNF therapy. The risk of this kind of impediment is becoming
susceptible to infections or latent disease may turn into active and then may
easier spread. The main danger is tuberculosis still other non-specific infections or
malignant tumors may occur.
A retrospective study was made to analyze the data of patients treated with biological
therapy and hospitalized in our institute because of severe pulmonary
infections. The aim of this study was to detect the incidence and severity of these
complications in a real life population.
Between 2008 and 2010 of 28705 patients with pulmonary disease were treated
in our institute, 59 patients of them suffered rheumatic disease: 52 patients from
rheumatoid arthritis and 7 of ankylosing spondylitis. 27 of 59 patients received
some sort of non-biological therapy, 23 of 59 got no medication and we screened 3
patients before the biological therapy. Six of the 9 patients who received biological
therapy had complications: 5 cases of tuberculosis, 1 case of pulmonary abscess, 1
case of invasive aspergillosis. We did not observed malignant tumor among them.
In this particular period 1 patient treated by biological therapy died because of
tuberculosis.
Our analysis assured the relevance of correct preliminary pulmonary examinations
and follow-up during biologic therapy of rheumatic disease. Despite the possible
occurrence of severe complications this therapy has got major efficiency in treating
rheumatic diseases.

Abstract Number: P2530

Conference Year: 2011

Link to conference website: http://www.ers-education.org/ersMade/abstract_print_11/files/Abstract_book_2011.pdf

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