Etanercept and urticaria in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

E. Skyttä, H. Pohjankoski, A. Savolainen

Rheumatism Foundation Hospital, Heinola, Finland.

ABSTRACT
Etanercept, a tumor necrosis factor receptor p75 Fc fusion protein (TNFR:Fc; Enbrel®), has preliminarily been shown to be effective in the management of methotrexate-resistant polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Reported side-effects have been minor, for example injection site reactions and upper respiratory tract infections, not necessitating discontinuation of the medication (1, 2). We report on 2 patients who developed an urticaria-like rash with prurigo appearing bilaterally on the extensor surfaces of the elbows subsequent to etanercept injections.

Key words
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis, etanercept, side-effects, urticaria.

Please address correspondence and reprint requests to: Anneli Savolainen, Rheumatism Foundation Hospital, Heinola, Finland.

Clin Exp Rheumatol 2000: 18: 525-532.
© Copyright Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology 2000.