PurposeTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of the biosimilar infliximab in adult patients with inflammatory arthritis switched from reference product in our center.Patients and methodsIn April 2014, patients attending our rheumatology service for infliximab infusions were switched from reference product to the biosimilar infliximab following consent and hospital approval.ResultsAround 34 patients with inflammatory arthritis were switched from reference product to biosimilar infliximab in 2014: 50% female, mean age 55 years (standard deviation=12.9), mean disease duration 14.79 years (9.7), median duration on infliximab 57 months, and two-thirds on oral disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. There was no difference in efficacy or safety in the first 6 months of therapy. By the end of 2015, the mean follow-up on biosimilar infliximab was 15.8 (standard deviation=6.3) months. Our results showed no significant difference in Health Assessment Questionnaire score, patient global assessment of disease activity, number of disease flares, or the medication dose between the originator and the biosimilar infliximab. However, reported pain and C-reactive protein values were significantly higher during the longer follow-up period (p=0.043, 0.001 respectively). There was no significant difference in the number of adverse events or infusion reactions during follow-up periods. Only five (14.7%) patients discontinued the biosimilar infliximab.ConclusionOur patients experienced similar efficacy and safety for managing their arthritis with the biosimilar infliximab as the reference product infliximab, but at a much lower cost.

Fumaric acid esters are frequently associated with transient or persistent proteinuria. Significant renal dysfunction is rare and usually reversible on dose reduction or discontinuation of FAE. This study highlights the importance of screening for proteinuria. Higher doses per weight of treatment and longer duration of FAE therapy are likely risk factors for PTD.

SUMMARYWe present the case of a 65-year-old man with an atypical presentation of pulmonary embolism (PE) as ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) with high troponin. He presented with acute exertional dyspnoea without chest pain. Since the initial ECG showed ST elevation anteroseptal (V1-V4) with concomitant deep Q waves, a delayed STEMI with probable left ventricular aneurysm was the working diagnosis and was treated accordingly. Nevertheless, his coronary angiography was normal and it was then that PE was suspected. D-dimer was found to be elevated and CT pulmonary angiography confirmed bilateral PE with a large thrombus within the right main pulmonary artery. The patient made good clinical recovery and his ST elevation resolved with anticoagulation. The source was found to be a deep vein thrombosis in his right leg. The treatment was not compromised by the delayed diagnosis as he received timely anticoagulation as part of STEMI management. BACKGROUND

We report two patients with chronic hyperglycaemia secondary to type 2 diabetes who developed severe vomiting on d. The first patient was diagnosed with a mixed picture of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state (HHS) and the second, with DKA. They were on insulin therapy which was discontinued on commencing d because of inefficacy and weight gain. The HHS patient developed dehydration secondary to vomiting and had lactic acidosis but no other precipitant could be found in either case. It appears that the abrupt insulin discontinuation coupled with vomiting and dehydration led to the metabolic derangements. Subsequent C-peptide levels were found to be low in both patients. In view of the predisposition of patients with chronic hyperglycaemia to glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1R) downregulation and the lag time to optimal efficacy of GLP-1R agonists, we propose that patients should have C-peptide levels measured to determine the risk of ketosis and whether insulin should be continued with dose adjustments when starting a GLP-1R agonist.

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