CASE REPORTS - Enbrel and venous thromboembolism

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J Med Case Reports. 2010 Jan 15;4:12.

Etanercept and venous thromboembolism: a case series.

Makol A, Grover M, Guggenheim C, Hassouna H.

Internal Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The treatment with antitumor necrosis factor agents has

often been associated with the induction of autoantibodies

(antinuclear antibodies, anti-double stranded DNA antibodies and

antiphospholipid antibodies). The clinical significance of these

antibodies remains unclear, but they may predispose to

antiphospholipid syndrome with thromboembolic complications. The

association of etanercept with thromboembolic events has not been

reported previously in the literature.

CASE PRESENTATION: We describe the cases of three patients with

rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and seronegative

inflammatory arthritis who were treated with etanercept. They

developed deep vein thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism one to three

years after the initiation of etanercept therapy. All three patients

had a prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time with a positive

lupus anticoagulant that persisted even after 12 weeks.

CONCLUSION: Although the clinical significance of antiphospholipid

antibodies during treatment with antitumor necrosis factor agents

remains unclear, they may predispose patients to develop

antiphospholipid syndrome when associated with prolonged activated

partial thromboplastin time, lupus anticoagulant positivity, or the

presence of anti-beta2 glycoprotein I. Clinicians must keep this in

mind during therapy with antitumor necrosis factor agents in order to

prevent, detect and treat potential consequences such as deep vein

thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

PMID: 20157435

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20157435

Not an MD

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Yet another reason why I don't feel comfortable taking this dang stuff since I

have MCTD and not just RA alone.