FRI0414 The risk of tuberculosis in patients with ankylosing spondylitis during anti-tnf therapy: data from national database in slovakia
Authors: M. Zlnay, D. Zlnay, M. Salkova, M. Oetterova, D. Micekova, K. Barancikova, J. Rovensky, I. Rybar
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2013)

<h3>Background</h3> TNF-alfa blockers are highly effective for signs and symptoms in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Many clinical studies and data from various national registries assign concerns about serious infections, especially tuberculosis (TB). <h3>Objectives</h3> Our aim was to look on the incidence rate (IR) of TB infection in AS patients during anti-TNF therapy in Slovakia. <h3>Methods</h3> AS patients on anti-TNF treatment were retrospectively analyzed in Slovak national database of patients with biological therapy. This analysis covered AS patients on infliximab, etanercept, adalimumab and golimumab since March 3<sup>rd</sup> 2003, when the first patient was initiated on TNF-alfa blocker until December 31<sup>st</sup> 2012. Duration of anti-TNF treatment was calculated on patient-years (PY). IR for development of TB on 100 PY was calculated. The occurence of TB reactivation was subsequently analysed after initiation of national guidelines for screening of latent TB. <h3>Results</h3> 314 patients with AS on anti-TNF therapy, 278 men (89%) and 36 women (11%), were analysed. The mean age of patients at the time of initiation of TNF-alfa blockers was 39.27 (19-72) years. The time on biological treatment since the first patient was initiated until December 31<sup>st</sup> 2012 was calculated on 915 PY. 75 patients (72 men, 3 women) on infliximab were together treated 248 PY, 87 patients (71 men, 16 women) on etanercept 339 PY, 122 patients (112 men, 10 women) on adalimumab 286 PY, and 30 patients (23 men, 7 women) were under the treatment with golimumab 41 PY. The occurrence of pulmonary TB in AS patients treated by TNF-alfa inhibitors was found only in one patient on infliximab, and it was before the initiation of screening of latent TB. There was no case of active TB during etanercept, adalimumab or golimumab therapy. One patient on infliximab developed atypical mycobacterial infection of skin with histological finding of aquarium granuloma. One patient on etanercept had to stop treatment due to his contact with person with active TB, but after prophylactic treatment with isoniaside (INH) he could continue on biologic agent without development of active TB. Calculated incidence of TB infection (typical and atypical) in Slovak AS patients on anti-TNF therapy was 0.21/100 PY. The IR for reactivation of latent TB was calculated on 0.1/100 PY. After applying the national guidelines for screening of latent TB before starting TNF-inhibitors there was no case of TB reactivation in Slovak AS patients. There were 7 patients with positive IGRA test before starting infliximab, 5 patients before etanercept, 11 patients before adalimumab and 3 patients before starting golimumab. All patients with positive IGRA test underwent prophylactic treatment with INH and no reactivation of latent TB was observed. <h3>Conclusions</h3> The risk of TB infection in AS patients on anti-TNF therapy in Slovakia is 0.21/100 patient-years, with the IR for reactivation of latent TB during the treatment 0.1/100 patient-years. After applying national guidelines for screening latent TB before starting anti-TNF treatment in every patient, and using prophylactic treatment with INH in those patients with positive IGRA test, there was no occurrence of reactivation of latent TB in Slovakia. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None Declared