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Rheumatology 2003; 42: II22-II28
© 2003 British Society for Rheumatology

Original Article

Clinical and radiological effects of anakinra in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

B. Bresnihan and M. Cobby1

St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
1 Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, UK.

Correspondence to: Correspondence to: B. Bresnihan, Department of Rheumatology, St Vincent's University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4, Ireland. E-mail: b.bresnihan{at}svcpc.ie

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is a proinflammatory cytokine that plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Inhibiting the activities of IL-1 at the receptor level with the recombinant human IL-1 receptor antagonist anakinra (Kineret®; Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, CA) is a new therapeutic option for the management of patients with RA. Randomized, placebo-controlled trials have demonstrated that anakinra, alone and in combination with methotrexate, improves the signs and symptoms of RA. Anakinra also produces improvements in patient functionality and health-related quality of life, as measured by the Health Assessment Questionnaire and the Nottingham Health Profile, and reduces the number of productivity days missed due to illness. Furthermore, an initial study indicates that anakinra retards the progression of radiographic joint damage. Such clinical findings suggest that anakinra is an important addition to the rheumatology treatment armamentarium.

KEY WORDS: Anakinra, Efficacy, Functionality, Health-related quality of life, Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, Radiographic progression, Rheumatoid arthritis


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