Arthritis & rheumatology (Hoboken, N.J.)
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Arthritis Rheumatol · Jan 2016
Comparative StudyComparative Risk of Hospitalized Infection Associated With Biologic Agents in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Enrolled in Medicare.
The risks of hospitalized infection associated with biologic agents used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are unclear. The aim of this study was to determine whether the associated risk of hospitalized infections differed between specific biologic agents used to treat RA. ⋯ In RA patients with prior exposure to a biologic agent, exposure to etanercept, infliximab, or rituximab was associated with a greater 1-year risk of hospitalized infection compared with the risk associated with exposure to abatacept.
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Arthritis Rheumatol · Jan 2016
Atypical Femoral Fracture in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Treated With Bisphosphonates: A Nested Case-Control Study.
To examine the clinical characteristics of atypical femoral fracture (AFF) and to determine the risk factors for and clinical outcomes of AFFs in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients treated with bisphosphonates (BPs). ⋯ RA patients who have a valgus deformity and are receiving long-term BP treatment are at higher risk of AFF compared with matched control patients with RA. These patients should be carefully followed up with hip radiography or dual x-ray absorptiometry.