Anti‐TNFalpha medications and neuropathy

Abstract We studied the clinical, electrophysiological and pathological features, outcome and frequency of anti‐TNF alpha (a‐TNF) medications induced neuropathies (ATIN) in patients with inflammatory disorders. Of 2017 patients treated with a‐TNF medication, 12 patients met our inclusion criteria for a prevalence of 0.60% and an incidence of 0.4 cases per 1000 person‐years. The median time from a‐TNF medication treatment to ATIN was 16.8 months (range 2 to 60 months). Six patients had focal or multifocal peripheral neuropathies. The other six had generalized neuropathies. For all, a‐TNF medication was stopped. Seven patients received immunoglobulin infusions. ATIN outcome was favorable in all but one patient. ATINs are rare and heterogeneous neuropathies. In 10 patients the neuropathy was “inflammatory”, suggesting that it could be due to systemic pro‐inflammatory effects of a‐TNF agents.
Source: Journal of the Peripheral Nervous System - Category: Neurology Authors: Tags: RESEARCH REPORTS Source Type: research