5th International Conference of Orthopedic Surgeons and Rheumatology

Biography

Biography: Yesim Garip

Abstract

Use of biologic agents in the late 1990s have inaugurated a new era in the treatment of inflammatory rheumatic diseases. In recent years, several biologic agents have been approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and have offered an alternative treatment for the patients failing conventional therapy. Although there is a tendency for clinical remission during pregnancy, in some cases, continuing with treatment throughout pregnancy may be necessary. Since important antirheumatic agents such as methotrexate and leflunomide have teratogenic effects, biologic therapy may be an option for pregnant women with high disease activity. Safety of these agents during pregnancy is still a matter of debate due to absence of drug trials conducted in pregnant women and their use during pregnancy is not recommended. However, cumulative data suggest that rate of birth defects following prenatal exposure to biologic agents appear to be comparable with that expected in the general population. The decision to use biologic agents during pregnancy is difficult. The benefits of biologic agents must outweigh the risks to the fetus/embryo or mother. This review provides published data on use of biologic agents including etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab, certolizumab pegol, golimumab, tocilizumab, rituximab, anakinra and abatacept for rheumatic diseases during pregnancy.