Successful etanercept use in an HIV-positive patient with rheumatoid arthritis

Limited information exists on treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in a patient with coexisting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. We report a case of a patient with rheumatoid arthritis who then became HIV positive. His HIV viral load was controlled with antiretroviral therapy, but he continued to have active rheumatoid arthritis despite therapy with hydroxychloroquine, sulfasalazine, and corticosteroids. Because of unremitting rheumatoid disease, we are now treating him with a TNF alpha inhibitor, and his rheumatoid disease activity has decreased from 28 swollen and tender joint count to less than 5.