International Journal of Rheumatology

Review Article

Review of Routine Laboratory Monitoring for Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis Receiving Biologic or Nonbiologic DMARDs

Table 6

Summary of recommended frequencies of laboratory monitoring for patients with RA receiving .


	Lipids	AST and ALT	Neutrophils and platelets

MTX, LEF, SSZ	—	Initially: every 2–4 weeks After ~1–3 months: every 1–3 months After ~6–2 months: every 3 months or based on clinical judgment	Initially: every 2–4 weeks After ~1–3 months: every 1–3 months After ~6–12 months: every 3 months or based on clinical judgment

GLU	Initially: 1 month after initiation After 1 month: every 6–12 months	—	—

TCZ	Initially: 4–8 weeks after initiation After 1–2 months: every 6 months	Initially: 4–8 weeks after initiation After 1-2 months: every 3 months	Initially: 4–8 weeks after initiation After 1-2 months: every 3 months

TOF	Initially: 4–8 weeks after initiation	Routine	Initially: 4–8 weeks after initiation After 1-2 months: every 3 months

RTX	—	—	Every 2-3 months

aTNF	—	aTNFs administered in combination with MTX should follow the MTX monitoring guidelines	aTNFs administered in combination with MTX should follow the MTX monitoring guidelines

ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; aTNF, anti-tumor necrosis factor agent; DMARD, disease-modifying antirheumatic drug; GLU, glucocorticoid; LEF, leflunomide; MTX, methotrexate; RA, rheumatoid arthritis; RTX, rituximab; SSZ, sulfasalazine; TCZ, tocilizumab; TOF, tofacitinib. , golimumab, and rituximab are indicated for RA only when administered in combination with MTX. Monitoring frequency should follow that of the recommendations for MTX.