Updated December 30, 2014.

The use of a TNF inhibitor in combination with methotrexate has been shown to decrease the risk of a heart attack in people with rheumatoid arthritis by 80 percent compared to methotrexate alone. Using data obtained from California's Medicaid program, researchers studied rheumatoid arthritis patients over the age of 18 (mean age 55) who were treated with TNF inhibitors (e.g., Enbrel, Remicade, or Humira), methotrexate, or other disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) over 6 1/2 years.

• The Facts of Enbrel
• The Facts of Humira
• The Facts of Remicade
• The Facts of Methotrexate

According to the study presented at the 2007 American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting, there were 19,233 study participants -- 79 percent of whom were women. Of the study participants, 13,383 took methotrexate, 14,958 took other DMARDs, and 4,943 were prescribed a TNF inhibitor. During the study period, 441 patients had a heart attack -- 8 percent of which resulted in death. Researchers discovered that patients taking methotrexate plus a TNF inhibitor had a heart attack risk that was 20 percent of the risk associated with patients taking methotrexate alone. No statistically significant difference was found among patients who were taking:

• a TNF inhibitor alone
• a TNF inhibitor plus other DMARDs
• other DMARDs without methotrexate or
• a combination of DMARDs including methotrexate

Researchers concluded that a TNF inhibitor plus methotrexate "dramatically reduces" the risk of heart attacks in rheumatoid arthritis patients and may be a good treatment option for patients who are already at high risk of having a heart attack.

More Related Resources:

• Test Your Knowledge: TNF Inhibitor Drugs
• TNF Inhibitors: How Are They Similar and Different?
• Should Patients Fear Side Effects of TNF Inhibitors?
• When is it Appropriate to Switch Your TNF Inhibitor Drug?

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