How would you approach treatment of active inflammatory arthritis in a patient with MCTD (+RNP/+Chromatin) and stable ILD who has failed MMF, azathioprine and methotrexate?

Would you consider belimumab over a TNF inhibitor for inflammatory arthritis? Which agent would be more beneficial for the lung disease?

2 Answers

Mednet Member

Rheumatology · University of Chicago

Answered on

I'd think about Actemra to treat both ILD (with the scleroderma approval) and arthritis.

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Mednet MemberInvited Expert

Rheumatology · Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS)

Answered on · Updated on

I second Dr. @Dr. First Last's advice. This is VERY similar to a patient of mine. She (UCTD with inflammatory arthritis and interstitial lung disease after failing numerous agents) went into remission after adding tocilizumab to her hydroxychloroquine.

The other agent I'd consider is abatacept. There...

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