THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TOCILIZUMAB USE AND EOSINOPHIL COUNT IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY Romatoid Artritli Hastalarda Tosilizumab Kullanımı ile Eozinofil Sayısı Arasındaki İlişki: Retrospektif Bir Çalışma

ABSTRACTObjective: This study aimed to determine the relationship between tosilizumab use and eosinophil countsin patients with rheumatoid arthritis.Material and Methods: Thirty five patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) receiving either syntheticdisease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) or tocilizumab treatment were included in thisstudy. Patient age and disease duration, disease activity parameters and eosinophil values were recorded.Results: Comparing the eosinophil counts and percentages of the DMARD group with the Tocilizumabgroup, any statistically significant differences were found. There was no significant difference in eosinophilcounts and percentages in the DMARD group in repeated measurements. However, in the Tocilizumabgroup, there was a significant difference in both parameters.Conclusion: A significant increase in eosinophil counts was observed in the group receiving tocilizumabtherapy at the 1st month. Therefore, during treatment monitoring, especially in the early stages, attentionshould also be paid to eosinophil values.