Etanercept, Cytokines and Fatigue

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Etanercept, Cytokines and Fatigue

• Sponsor organisation

  Gloucester Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

• Eudract number

  2007-002204-18

• ISRCTN Number

  n/a

• Research summary

  Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory condition caused by the immune system attacking the joints. This can lead to a substantial loss of mobility and pain due to joint destruction as well as fatigue. Recent trials have suggested that chemicals released due to the inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (pro-inflammatory cytokines) may be the cause of fatigue. Etanercept is one of a new family of drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis that specifically inhibits the production of one of these cytokines; Anti-Tumour Necrosis Factor Alpha (anti-TNF alpha).This study will assess patients with rheumatoid arthritis who are starting etanercept treatment. We will measure their levels of specific cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, TNF-alpha) and measure fatigue using well validated scores. At the same time we will also measure their levels of arthritis activity (counting the numbers of joints involved) as is routinely done when starting anti-TNF treatment. We will therefore be investigating whether there is a correlation between changes in specific cytokine levels, fatigue and arthritis activity. This study will also assess etanercept as a potential treatment for fatigue in rheumatoid arthritis.

• REC name

  South West - Central Bristol Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  08/H0106/93

• Date of REC Opinion

  22 Dec 2008

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion