Three-year outcomes of tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitor therapy in rheumatoid arthritis patients with elevated liver enzymes

Table 1 Baseline characteristics of the patients, n (%)

Characteristics	Study participants (n = 9)
Age (years)	56 (49.5-64.5)
Females	7 (77.8)
Hispanic	9 (100)
Body mass index (kg/m2)	36.99 (30.95-43.43)
Comorbidities
Hypertension	4 (44.4)
Type 2 diabetes mellitus	1 (11.1)
Fatty liver	1 (11.1)
Low disease activity	1 (11.1)
Moderate disease activity	7 (77.8)
High disease activity	1 (11.1)
Medications
Statins	3 (33.3)
Methotrexate	7 (77.8)
Leflunomide	3 (33.3)
Sulfasalazine	2 (22.2)
Steroids	6 (66.7)
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs	8 (88.9)

Values are reported as median (interquartile range) or n (%).

Table 2 Trends in liver parameters at baseline, 1-year and 3-year follow-up

Parameter	Baseline	1-year follow-up	P value (baseline to 1-year follow-up)	3-year follow-up	P value (1-year to 3-year follow-up)	P value (baseline to 3-year follow-up)
Aspartate aminotransferase (IU/L)	55 (43-63.5)	28 (25.5-43.5)	0.161	26 (20.5-28.5)	0.027	0.003
Alanine aminotransferase (IU/L)	78 (42-90)	38 (21.5-61.5)	0.129	25 (20.5-42)	0.129	0.003
Alkaline phosphatase (IU/L)	110 (93.5-161.5)	97 (88-151)	0.05	78 (70-117.5)	0.01	0.003
Serum albumin (g/dL)	4 (3.8-4.15)	4 (3.6-4.2)	0.204	3.9 (3.75-4)	0.732	0.207
Serum total bilirubin (mg/dL)	0.6 (0.45-0.85)	0.6 (0.4-0.7)	0.115	0.6 (0.45-0.75)	0.458	0.228
Platelet count (× 103/UL)	260 (251-303.5)	257 (240.5-284)	0.09	250 (240-282.5)	1.00	0.734
Fibrosis-4 index	1.26 (1.02-1.65)	1.22 (0.80-1.54)	0.25	0.92 (0.77-1.11)	0.09	0.003

Values are reported as median (interquartile range). Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for paired data. P value less than 0.05 was considered significant.