TNF-alpha blockade induce clinical remission in patients affected by polymyalgia rheumatica associated to diabetes mellitus and/or osteoporosis: a seven cases report

A. Migliore, U. Massafra, E. Carloni, C. Padalino, S. Martin Martin*, F. Lasaracina, N. Dibiase, A. Alimonti, M. Granata§

Department of Internal Medicine, “S. Pietro-AFaR” Hospital – Rome (Italy)
*Department of Internal Medicine, “Regina Apostolorum” Hospital – Albano, Rome (Italy)
§U.O. di Reumatologia, A.C.O. “S. Filippo Neri” Hospital – Rome (Italy)

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• Rheumatology

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the elderly, characterized by aching and morning stiffness in the cervical region, shoulders and pelvic girdles. A steroid treatment course of 6-24 months is often required, but, due to important side effects, it is troublesome if the PMR patient is also affected by diabetes mellitus (DM) and/or osteoporosis. Aim of our study is to test anti-TNF alpha treatment as a steroid sparing tool in PMR patients affected by DM or osteoporosis. In particular, we hypothesise that TNF alpha blockade can be useful not only in remission maintaining, but also in the induction of clinical remission without corticosteroids in this kind of patients.

In a six months follow up, patients had clinical improvement, confirmed by physical medical examination, and a statistically significant reduction in ESR and CRP mean values. Anti-TNF alpha treatment was well tolerated by all patients.

These preliminary data suggest than Infliximab can be useful in the treatment of PMR patients, not only for steroid sparing purposes, but also as first line therapy in PMR patients with severe comorbidity, such as diabetes mellitus or osteoporosis.

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