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Antirheumatic drugs don’t boost surgical infection risk
Major finding: Rheumatoid arthritis patients who remained on their antirheumatic medication while they underwent various types of surgery did not...
There is conflicting information on infection risk with the use leflunomide (Arava), but it may be wise to stop therapy 2-4 weeks before nonurgent surgery in higher-risk patients.
There is consensus that sulfasalazine (Azulfidine) and azathioprine (Imuran) can be safely continued perioperatively, he said, although some advise holding sulfasalazine on the day of surgery.
Regarding perioperative steroids, Dr. Grant recommended determining the patient’s steroid exposure over the past year.
"Stress dose steroids are not routinely needed as long as the patients continue their normal dose. That’s really the important piece: If someone’s taking prednisone every day, make sure they take at least that dose on the day of surgery," he said.
Dr. Grant reported having no financial disclosures.