Anti-Tnf- Α İlaç Tedavisi Alan Hastalarda Periferik Sinirlerin Değerlendirilmesi

Aim: Anti-tumor necrosis factor-α drug treatments are widely used in many inflammatory diseases. Neurological complications have rarely been reported in these treatments. Our aim in this study was to investigate the neurological findings that occurred in our patients receiving this treatment. Methods: A case-control study conducted in (institutional information was blinded) between September 2018-September 2019. The study included 35 patients receiving tumor necrosis factor-α blocker drug, and 37 healthy control subjects with similar demographic characteristics. The disease activity scores of the patient group and physical function scores of the patient and control groups were questioned. All patients underwent a detailed physical and neurological examination. Afterward, peripheral nerves were evaluated neurophysiologically by electromyography. According to distribution Mann-Whitney U test or independent samples t-test was used when comparing groups. The relationship between Short Form-36 and age or body mass index was determined by using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. Results: The results obtained in sensory and motor nerve conduction examinations were compared between groups. Patients using anti-TNF alpha had peripheral sensory neuropathy. Examination of peripheral motor nerves was within normal limits. Conclusions: Anti-tumor necrosis factor-α drugs have good effects in inflammatory diseases. These patients should be carefully monitored for neurological findings.