Refractory rheumatoid factor positive polyarthritis in a female adolescent already suffering from type 1 diabetes mellitus and Hashimoto's thyroiditis successfully treated with etanercept

Ital J Pediatr. 2013 Oct 14:39:64. doi: 10.1186/1824-7288-39-64.

Abstract

Type 1 diabetes mellitus may be associated with many autoimmune diseases with the common autoimmune pathogenesis. We describe the case of a girl suffering from Type 1 diabetes mellitus and autoimmune Hashimoto's thyroiditis since the childhood and, due to the onset of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis during adolescence, for three years practiced therapy with an anti-TNF drug, etanercept . Currently her inflammatory markers are normal, arthritis is inactive and diabetes is well controlled. During the treatment with anti-TNF drug we observed a significative reduction of insulin dose, probably due to an increased tissue sensitivity secondary to the suppression of the activity of TNF-alpha. Several clinical trials that have evaluated the effect of immunomodulatory agents in diabetic patients, especially in those with recent onset of disease, were already performed but further studies of longer duration on a larger population are needed to assess the role of biologic drugs and immunotherapy in this group of patients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Arthritis, Juvenile / complications
  • Arthritis, Juvenile / diagnosis
  • Arthritis, Juvenile / drug therapy*
  • Arthritis, Juvenile / immunology*
  • Autoimmune Diseases / complications
  • Autoimmune Diseases / diagnosis
  • Autoimmune Diseases / drug therapy
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / complications
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / diagnosis
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / immunology*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Etanercept
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hashimoto Disease / complications
  • Hashimoto Disease / diagnosis
  • Hashimoto Disease / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / therapeutic use*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Injections, Subcutaneous
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / therapeutic use*
  • Rheumatoid Factor / blood*
  • Risk Assessment
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
  • Rheumatoid Factor
  • Etanercept