Updated consensus statement on biological agents for the treatment of rheumatic diseases, 2006

• Published in: Annals of the rheumatic diseases Vol. 65; no. suppl 3; pp. iii2 - iii15
• Main Authors: Furst, D E, Breedveld, F C, Kalden, J R, Smolen, J S, Burmester, G R, Emery, P, Keystone, E C, Schiff, M H, van Riel, P L C M, Weinblatt, M E, Weisman, M H
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and European League Against Rheumatism 01.11.2006; BMJ; Elsevier Limited; BMJ Group
• Subjects: Abatacept; ACR; American College of Rheumatology; ankylosing spondylitis; Antirheumatic Agents - adverse effects; Antirheumatic Agents - therapeutic use; Arthritis, Psoriatic - drug therapy; Arthritis, Rheumatoid - drug therapy; Biological and medical sciences; CHF; Clinical medicine; congestive heart failure; Consensus Statement; DAS; Disease; Disease Activity Score; disease modifying antirheumatic drug; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; DMARD; Drug dosages; guideline; HAQ-DI; Health Assessment Questionnaire disability index; Humans; IL-1ra; immunity; Immunization; Immunoconjugates - adverse effects; Immunoconjugates - therapeutic use; Immunologic Factors - adverse effects; Immunologic Factors - therapeutic use; Infections; inflammation; Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein - adverse effects; Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein - therapeutic use; Medical Outcome Survey Short Form 36; Medical sciences; methotrexate; Miscellaneous. Osteoarticular involvement in other diseases; MTX; Pain; Patients; Pharmaceutical industry; PsA; psoriatic arthritis; Rheumatic diseases; Rheumatic Diseases - drug therapy; rheumatoid arthritis; rituximab; SF-36; Spondylitis, Ankylosing - drug therapy; Studies; TNF; TNF blocking; TNF inhibitors; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - antagonists & inhibitors; Tumor necrosis factor-TNF; tumour necrosis factor; VAS; visual analogue scale; Europe; Rheumatism; Treatment; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Biological agent
• ISSN: 0003-4967; 1468-2060
• DOI: 10.1136/ard.2006.061937

Additional information has come to light in the past year, both corroborating the major positive effect these drugs have had in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and other rheumatic diseases, and further documenting adverse events. [...]an update of the previous consensus statement is appropriate. 1 The consensus statement is annotated to document the credibility of the data supporting it as much as possible. Because these agents are not free of toxicity, patients or their representatives should be provided with information about potential risks and benefits so that they may give informed consent for treatment.