Impact of anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy on the weight of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

摘要

The role of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) in cachexia is established. More recent studies have found that adipocytes of obese animals and humans express higher levels of TNF than controls; in this phenotype higher concentrations of TNFa are thought to limit further fat accumulation. We observed weight gain was becoming an increasing problem in some of our patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) given anti-TNF therapy. Several patients had raised this concern at review appointments and one even elected to discontinue anti-TNF treatment owing to weight gain. The authors therefore undertook a longitudinal retrospective review of patient records attending the outpatient clinic to investigate the impact of anti-TNF therapy on the weight of patients with FA.