RESEARCH - Effect of Arava on the peripheral nerves in RA

[Guest guest]

Intern Med J. 2007 Feb;37(2):101-7.

Effect of leflunomide on the peripheral nerves in rheumatoid arthritis.

s BL, Spies J, McGill N, s GW, Vaile J, Bleasel JF, Youssef PP.

Department of Rheumatology, The Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney,

NSW, Australia.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to determine the

neurophysiological effects of leflunomide on peripheral nerves in

rheumatoid arthritis.

METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort trial of 32 patients with

rheumatoid arthritis with 16 patients receiving leflunomide treatment

and 16 receiving other disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug

therapies. Clinical, laboratory and neurophysiological measurements

were used to determine the presence of a peripheral neuropathy in

these patients at study entry and then after a further 3 and 6 months.

RESULTS: Fifty-four per cent of the leflunomide group and 8% of the

control group had an increase in their neuropathy symptom score 6

months into the study (P = 0.01). No correlation was found between the

electrophysiological findings and the clinical symptoms. There was no

significant difference between the two groups in upper and lower limb

sensory and motor amplitudes and conduction velocities recorded at 3

and 6 months. One patient developed both clinical and

neurophysiological evidence of a peripheral neuropathy 5 months into

the study that improved after cessation of leflunomide therapy and

cholestyramine washout.

CONCLUSION: After 6 months of exposure we found that leflunomide was

associated with an apparent increase in the clinical symptoms of

peripheral neuropathy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. These

symptoms did not correlate with neurophysiological studies.

PMID: 17229252

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17229252

Not an MD

[Guest guest]

Thanks for this . That explains why I have neuropathy and I never had it

before the Arava. Funny thing is that my doctor had no idea what would cause it.

LOL Figures!

>

> Intern Med J. 2007 Feb;37(2):101-7.

>

>

> Effect of leflunomide on the peripheral nerves in rheumatoid arthritis.

>

>

> s BL, Spies J, McGill N, s GW, Vaile J, Bleasel JF, Youssef PP.

> Department of Rheumatology, The Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney,

> NSW, Australia.

>

>

> BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to determine the

> neurophysiological effects of leflunomide on peripheral nerves in

> rheumatoid arthritis.

>

> METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort trial of 32 patients with

> rheumatoid arthritis with 16 patients receiving leflunomide treatment

> and 16 receiving other disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug

> therapies. Clinical, laboratory and neurophysiological measurements

> were used to determine the presence of a peripheral neuropathy in

> these patients at study entry and then after a further 3 and 6 months.

>

> RESULTS: Fifty-four per cent of the leflunomide group and 8% of the

> control group had an increase in their neuropathy symptom score 6

> months into the study (P = 0.01). No correlation was found between the

> electrophysiological findings and the clinical symptoms. There was no

> significant difference between the two groups in upper and lower limb

> sensory and motor amplitudes and conduction velocities recorded at 3

> and 6 months. One patient developed both clinical and

> neurophysiological evidence of a peripheral neuropathy 5 months into

> the study that improved after cessation of leflunomide therapy and

> cholestyramine washout.

>

> CONCLUSION: After 6 months of exposure we found that leflunomide was

> associated with an apparent increase in the clinical symptoms of

> peripheral neuropathy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. These

> symptoms did not correlate with neurophysiological studies.

>

>

> PMID: 17229252

>

> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17229252

>

>

>

> Not an MD

>