The potential risk for tuberculosis is not really high at all: "In over 4500 patients in the US and Canada, the rate is approximately 0.07 per 100 patient-years" Sounds like if you take Humira for a year you have less than a one in a thousand chance of getting tuberculosis. The chances of getting something like an ordinary upper respiratory infection are much higher, but I am very grateful to my government for allowing me to make the decision that a mild case of bronchitis is a penalty that I'm willing to pay in order to be able to walk without a cane. Humira has been a wonder drug for me.
Drug risks listed on labels are almost worthless. They don't give you the odds of the adverse event, nor do they give you the medical context of those that suffered such an event. Furthermore, whether such a risk is "worth it" is a subjective decision that can only be made by the individual suffering from the condition which the drug is designed to treat. If I were suffering from mild arthritis perhaps in my fingers bronchitis would be a risk not worth it. On the other hand, if I were a Crohn's patient facing a permanent ostomy with crippling joint pain resulting in disability a one in a thousand chance of TB might look like a good deal.
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The potential risk for tuberculosis is not really high at all: "In over 4500 patients in the US and Canada, the rate is approximately 0.07 per 100 patient-years" Sounds like if you take Humira for a year you have less than a one in a thousand chance of getting tuberculosis. The chances of getting something like an ordinary upper respiratory infection are much higher, but I am very grateful to my government for allowing me to make the decision that a mild case of bronchitis is a penalty that I'm willing to pay in order to be able to walk without a cane. Humira has been a wonder drug for me.
Drug risks listed on labels are almost worthless. They don't give you the odds of the adverse event, nor do they give you the medical context of those that suffered such an event. Furthermore, whether such a risk is "worth it" is a subjective decision that can only be made by the individual suffering from the condition which the drug is designed to treat. If I were suffering from mild arthritis perhaps in my fingers bronchitis would be a risk not worth it. On the other hand, if I were a Crohn's patient facing a permanent ostomy with crippling joint pain resulting in disability a one in a thousand chance of TB might look like a good deal.
December 22, 2009 - 3:14pmThis Comment
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