RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Short-term trial of etanercept in Behçet's disease: a double blind, placebo controlled study. JF The Journal of Rheumatology JO J Rheumatol FD The Journal of Rheumatology SP 98 OP 105 VO 32 IS 1 A1 Melikoglu, Melike A1 Fresko, Izzet A1 Mat, Cem A1 Ozyazgan, Yilmaz A1 Gogus, Feride A1 Yurdakul, Sebahattin A1 Hamuryudan, Vedat A1 Yazici, Hasan YR 2005 UL http://www.jrheum.org/content/32/1/98.abstract AB OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of the tumor necrosis factor-alpha blocker etanercept on the pathergy and monosodium urate (MSU) status and on the mucocutaneous and articular manifestations of patients with Behçet's disease (BD). METHODS: Forty male patients with BD, all with positive pathergy and MSU tests and mucocutaneous disease and/or arthritis, were randomized (20 patients to each study arm) to receive either etanercept 25 mg twice a week or placebo for 4 weeks. The pathergy and MSU responses and the frequencies of mucocutaneous and articular manifestations were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: There were no decreases in the pathergy and MSU responses in the etanercept group compared to the placebo group at any time. The mean numbers of oral ulcers, nodular lesions, and papulopustular lesions were less in the etanercept group compared to the placebo group at all weekly evaluations, except for the second week for papulopustular lesions. The probability of being free of oral ulcers and nodular lesions was also significantly higher in the former group (log-rank chi-square = 9.83, p = 0.0017; log-rank chi-square = 14.17, p = 0.0002, respectively). CONCLUSION: Etanercept did not affect the pathergy reaction and the cutaneous response to MSU crystals. However, the drug was effective in suppressing most of the mucocutaneous manifestations of BD.