Tolerance Induction to Antituberculosis Drugs in a Patient With Stevens-Johnson Syndrome/Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Overlap.

Tolerance induction and desensitization in Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) or in toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) have been described as an absolute contraindication by some authors, but there are cases where there is no treatment alternative. Tuberculosis (TB) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries and ranks alongside HIV as a leading cause of death worldwide. Severe drug reactions, such as SJS and TEN, occurring in these individuals are lifethreatening. Since alternative therapies for TB are limited, the role of desensitization and reintroduction becomes essential. We describe a case of tolerance induction to anti-TB drugs in a patient with SJS/TEN overlap syndrome using a specifically designed premedication, comedication, and desensitization protocol.

Factors associated with ASDAS remission in a long-term study of ankylosing spondylitis patients under tumor necrosis factor inhibitors.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical and demographic factors associated with disease remission and drug survival in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) on TNF inhibitors. METHODS: Data from a longitudinal electronic database of AS patients under anti-TNF therapy between June/2004 and August/2013. Demographic, clinical parameters, disease activity by ASDAS remission (< 1.3) and inactive/low (< 2.1) were analyzed to characterize reasons for drug survival and switching of anti-TNF. RESULTS: Among 117 AS patients, 69 (59%) were prescribed only one anti-TNF, 48 (41%) switched to a second anti-TNF and 13 (11%) to a third anti-TNF. Considering ASDAS-CRP < 1.3, 31 (39%) patients were inactive at the end of the study. Non-switchers (P = 0.04), younger age (P = 0.004), non-smoking (P = 0.016), shorter disease duration (P = 0.047), more frequent use of SSZ (P = 0.037) and lower BASDAI (P = 0.027), BASMI (P = 0.034) and BASFI (P = 0.003) at baseline were associated with remission. In the multivariate analysis younger age (P = 0.016) and lower BASDAI (P = 0.032) remained as remission predictors. CONCLUSION: This study supports that ASDAS-CRP remission is an achievable goal not only for non-switchers but also for second anti-TNF, particularly in patients with younger age and lower BASDAI at baseline. Co-medication and non-smoker status seems to have a beneficial effect in anti-TNF response in this population.