Analysis and visualization of the course and burden over time of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) attributed to TNFα-inhibitors in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRDs)

Merel de Boer, Helen R. Gosselt, Jurriaan Jansen, Martijn B. A. van Doorn, Frank Hoentjen, Michael T. Nurmohamed, Phyllis I. Spuls, Sander W. Tas, Harald E. Vonkeman, Naomi T. Jessurun

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Background: We aimed to investigate course and burden over time of ADRs attributed to TNFα-inhibitors in IRD-patients, and whether Sankey diagrams and polar plots can visualize this. Research design and methods: Data on ADRs experienced during the Dutch Biologic Monitor (January 2017 till December 2022) were used in this study. We selected IRD-patients using a TNFα-inhibitor, reporting skin reactions/infections/injection site reactions and completing ≥3 questionnaires (i.e. the initial report and ≥2 follow-ups). Course was scored as worsening/improving/remaining stable/resolving and as (non-)recurrent. Patients scored burden from 1 (no burden) to 5 (very high burden). Sankey diagrams and polar plots visualized this. Results: 202 patients were included, reporting 353 ADRs. Most skin reactions were stable (25.0%). Most infections resolved (50.8%). Injection site reactions were mostly recurrent (72.3%). Skin reactions and infections tended to decrease in burden. Infections had highest burden at start, which mostly decreased over time. Injection site reactions had a low and stable burden. Conclusions: Skin reactions attributed to TNFα-inhibitors by IRD-patients are stable with a slightly decreasing burden over time. Infections have highest burden at start but resolved mostly. Injection site reactions have a low and stable burden. Sankey diagrams and polar plots are suitable to visualize this.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)195-202
Number of pages8
JournalExpert opinion on drug safety
Volume22
Issue number3
Early online date2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

Keywords

  • Adverse drug reaction
  • Sankey diagrams
  • burden
  • course
  • polar plots

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