To compare mortality data obtained from randomized controlled trials for the 5 tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibitors used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

A systematic review of articles published up to November 2014 was performed using electronic databases. We included randomized, controlled trials, with a follow-up period of at least 24 weeks, comparing TNF-α inhibitors to placebo or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. The primary outcome was the occurrence of all-cause mortality.

Twenty-three studies were selected. These articles included 6525 patients in the anti-TNF-α group and 3523 in the control group. The duration of patient follow-up ranged from 24 to 104 weeks. The risk of all-cause mortality in patients receiving TNF-α inhibitors was not significantly different from those receiving the comparator (odds ratio 1.32; 95% confidence interval, 0.76-2.29). Subgroup analyses with respect to the molecule used, the dose received, the use of TNF-α inhibitors as monotherapy or combination therapy, or the quality of the trial did not modify the findings.

This meta-analysis performed on a large number of patients and including the 5 TNF-α inhibitors currently available shows no increased risk of medium-term all-cause mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.