Etanercept Treatment in the Early Course of Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF) antagonist, etanercept, on the early clinical course of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). PMR is a common inflammatory disease with an unknown etiology that is characterized by aching, tender, and stiff proximal muscle. Some evidence suggests that TNF plays a central role in the pathophysiology of PMR. The preferred treatment with glucocorticoids (GCs) is adequate for most patients, but a subset of patients have a more prolonged, relapsing disease course. These patients require treatment with GCs for 1 to 2 years. GC related adverse events are frequent during treatment.

Timeline

Start

2007-08

Primary completion

2009-07

Completion

2009-09

Publications

• Kreiner FF, Galbo H. Activity of the neuroendocrine axes in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica before and after TNF-alpha blocking etanercept treatment. Arthritis Res Ther. 2012 Aug 15;14(4):R186. doi: 10.1186/ar4017.
• Kreiner F, Galbo H. Effect of etanercept in polymyalgia rheumatica: a randomized controlled trial. Arthritis Res Ther. 2010;12(5):R176. doi: 10.1186/ar3140. Epub 2010 Sep 20.

Drugs

Indications