Anakinra RA benefit comes at high risk

New research from the USA's University of Minnesota supports a modest beneficial effect of anakinra for rheumatoid arthritis patients, but  warns against potential risks for serious infections and its use with  other biologic medications.

In a Cochrane Systematic Review of five recent anakinra trials involving  2,876 patients, researchers found the substance reduced pain and  stiffness, and helped to improve joint function when compared to  placebo. However, while around a quarter of patients experienced  improvement in their symptoms as a result of taking anakinra, the  researchers say these are notably less than those seen with other  biologics.

In addition, there were more injection-site reactions with  anakinra and  the rate of serious infections was approaching statistical significance  when compared to placebo.