Continuation of TNF blockade in patients with inflammatory rheumatic disease An observational study on surgical site infections in 1,596 elective orthopedic and hand surgery procedures

摘要

Background Increased infection risk in inflammatory rheumatic diseases may be due to inflammation or immunosuppressive treatment. The influence of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors on the risk of developing surgical site infections (SSIs) is not fully known. We compared the incidence of SSI after elective orthopedic surgery or hand surgery in patients with a rheumatic disease when TNF inhibitors were continued or discontinued perioperatively.