"Studies Back Up HRT, Anti-TNF Risks" | Arthritis Information

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Shingles!

From Fierce Pharma:
http://www.fiercepharma.com/story/studies-back-hrt-anti-tnf-risks/2009-02-18?utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss&cmp-id=OTC-RSS-FP0

From the article:
"Meanwhile, another bit of research offers backup to recent warnings that anti-TNF alpha drugs may boost patients' risk of infection. A German study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association analyzed data from more than 5,000 patients on different forms of rheumatoid arthritis treatment. Among those taking anti-TNF drugs, the risk of shingles was almost double.

The study authors advised that patients using these meds be monitored for shingles, a painful skin disease caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus. A weakened immune system appears to be one of the triggers, so that's why anti-TNF drugs might increase the risk, the researchers said."


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