Etanercept compared to intraarticular corticosteroid injection in rheumatoid arthritis: double-blind, randomized pilot study.

Author(s): Roux CH, Breuil V, Valerio L, Amoretti N, Brocq O, Albert C, Grisot C, Allam Y, Chevalier P, Pradier C, Euller-Ziegler L

Affiliation(s): Rheumatology Department, Hospital l'Archet 1, 242 Route de Saint Antoine de Ginestiere, 06200 Nice, France. roux101fr@yahoo.fr

Publication date & source: 2011-06, J Rheumatol., 38(6):1009-11. Epub 2011 Mar 16.

Publication type: Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

OBJECTIVE: To compare etanercept (anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha) with intraarticular (IA) corticosteroid injections to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Patients with RA who had persistent monoarthritis received etanercept or IA corticosteroid injections. Efficacy was compared at Weeks 4 and 24. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients were included (8 dropped out). Mean age was 58.8 years. No difference between groups was found at Weeks 4 or 24, but both groups showed significant improvement at Weeks 4 and 24 compared to baseline. CONCLUSION: Etanercept and IA steroid injections resulted in significant improvement at Week 4 that persisted to Week 24. There was no significant difference in outcome between the groups.