Etanercept therapy alters monocyte subsets and improves DAS28-CRP in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

This prospective cohort study examined rheumatoid arthritis patients receiving etanercept therapy. The primary outcome measured change in DAS28-CRP from baseline to week 12, with secondary outcomes including change in DAS28-ESR. Follow-up assessments occurred at week 12 and week 24. The study population consisted of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and no specific comparator group was defined in the provided data.

Analysis of monocyte subsets revealed that the proportion of FcγRI-positive monocytes and classical (CD14++CD16−) monocytes decreased. Conversely, the proportion of non-classical (CD14+CD16++) monocytes increased during the observation period. Changes in intermediate monocytes (CD14++CD16+) were positively correlated with both DAS28-CRP change and DAS28-ESR change.

Patients exhibiting high intermediate (CD14++CD16+) monocytes demonstrated significantly greater reductions in DAS28-CRP compared to those with lower levels. Safety data regarding adverse events, serious adverse events, discontinuations, and tolerability were not reported in the input. Limitations of the study were not reported, and the observational nature of the design prevents definitive causal inferences regarding the monocyte changes.