Angioedema in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis treated with etanercept

Abstract

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown pathogenesis. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory and biologic drugs are used in its treatment. A 38 year old male patient diagnosed with AS was admitted to the rheumatology outpatient clinic due to swelling in both upper eyelids and around the eyes recurring for 1 month. He was at the 5th month of etanercept treatment. With the current clinic, etanercept-induced angioedema was primarily considered in the patient. Angioedema resolved spontaneously 2 days after discontinuation of the drug. In conclusion, although angioedema associated with etanercept use may develop rarely, it can lead to life-threatening results in some cases. From this point of view, it is important for clinicians to closely observe patients using etanercept and to inform the patient about side effects.