Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)is a chronic inflammatory, auto-immune diseases causing stiffness and pain in the joint. The body's immune system strikes normal joint tissues thereby leading to inflammation causing the symptoms. Biologics or injectable drugs known as biologic Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. The use of biologics is a pivotal advancement in the treatment of several other autoimmune conditions as well.

Singh JA presented the review explaining key studies of serious/hospitalized infections in RA. Severe form of  RA dimposes a high risk of serious infection. The risk of serious infections with tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) biologics is escalated in the first six months of commencing the therapy. This risk of infection was higher as compared to the use of traditional DMARDs.

The emerging suggests that  biologics may differ from each other in terms of the risk of serious or hospitalized infections. History of serious infections, glucocorticoid dose, and older age were other significant predictors of risk of serious infections in patients treated with biologics.