Switching from a first to a second tumour necrosis factor (TNF) alpha antagonist in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Results A total of 33 patients initially treated with Etanercept were switched to Adalimumab after a mean of 25.9 months (range 3–87 months). Reasons for discontinuation of Etanercept were inefficacy (n = 23, 65.8%), uveitis (n = 6, 17.1%), intolerance (n = 3, 8.6%) and patients' request (n = 6, 17.1%). Follow up data on Adalimumab were obtained from 12 patients for a range of 2 to 26 months (mean 10.9 months). The maximum response rate of the PedACR30/50/70 on Etanercept was 82.4%/73.5%/ 67.6%. The last documented response rate on Etanercept showed a decrease to 47.1%/35.3%/29.4% (PedACR30/ 50/70). After switching to Adalimumab a maximum PedACR30/50/70 of 75%/66.7%/50% compared to start of Etanercept and 33.3/33.3/25 compared to start of Adalimumab was reached. Treatment on both drugs was safe with no report of serious AE. Conclusion Although a number of patients have reached a good PedACR response rate on Etanercept, treatment was unsatisfied and therefore it was switched to Adalimumab. According to the PedACR only minor improvement was observed after switching to Adalimumab. from 15th Paediatric Rheumatology European Society (PreS) Congress London, UK. 14–17 September 2008