The frequency and associated factors of infusion-related reactions to rituximab for patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Year 2023, Volume: 14 Issue: 49, 105 - 110, 31.08.2023

Mete Pekdiker

https://doi.org/10.17944/interdiscip.1351896

Cited By: 1

Abstract

Objectives: Rituximab is an effective biological agent for treating patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Rheumatologists can avoid rituximab therapy because of infusion-related reactions (IRR). There is a lack of data about rituximab-related IRR, especially in rituximab-naïve patients with RA; therefore, we aimed to determine the frequency and associated factors of rituximab-related IRR in these patients.

Methods: Baseline demographic, laboratory, and treatment data were noted. One course of rituximab was used in two infusions to 95 rituximab-naïve patients with RA. Standardized premedication was administered before infusions. Rates, severity, and management of IRR were recorded. Efficacy and infections were also noted if there were.

Results: Ninety-four of 95 patients completed the rituximab course successfully. We observed a total of 23 IRRs in 20 patients. The frequency of IRR was 12.1%, and serious IRR was 0.52%. Grade 1-2-3 IRRs had a rate of 52.2%, 30.4%, and 17.4%, respectively; grade 4 or 5 IRR wasn’t detected. Age <60 years, anti-CCP <200U/ml and absence of biologic agent use before rituximab was significantly higher in patients with IRR than without IRR (p=0.01, p=0.002, p=0.01 respectively). We found out that if only the disease age is above 60 months, it is protective against IRR as per the results of multivariate model analysis.

Conclusion: Results supported that rituximab is a safe biological agent option for patients with RA at secondary central hospitals. Identified risk factors of IRR need to be corroborated in larger studies for safer rituximab therapy.

Keywords

Rituximab, Infusion-Related Reactions, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Risk Factors

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval was obtained from Mus Alparslan University Clinical Research Ethical Committee with date 29.10.202 0and number E-79236777-605.99-2541, and Helsinki Declaration rules were followed to conduct this study.

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