RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Late-onset Neutropenia in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis after Treatment with Rituximab
JF The Journal of Rheumatology
JO J Rheumatol
FD The Journal of Rheumatology
SP jrheum.130526
DO 10.3899/jrheum.130526
A1 Rita Abdulkader
A1 Chethana Dharmapalaiah
A1 Ginny Rose
A1 Lynne M.  Shand
A1 Gavin P.  Clunie
A1 Richard A.  Watts
YR 2014
UL http://www.jrheum.org/content/early/2014/03/11/jrheum.130526.abstract
AB Objective Late-onset neutropenia (LON) is an adverse effect of rituximab (RTX) in hematological malignancies, a finding that was recently reported in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of our study was to estimate its incidence in RA. Methods We retrospectively reviewed complete blood (cell) count of patients with RA who received RTX between October 2007 and July 2011 to identify neutropenia (≤ 1.5 × 109) up to 12 months following RTX. Results One hundred eight patients received RTX, median age 64 years (range 25 –86). A total of 237 cycles were given. Five patients developed LON after a median of 151 days (71–184). Two developed pneumonia. Conclusion LON occurs infrequently after RTX, but can present with infection.