Management of autoimmune ear disease and idiopathic polyarthritis with adalimumab

Abstract

Autoimmune inner ear disease (AIED) is a rare form of sensorineural hearing loss of autoimmune origin and responding to immunosuppressive therapy with corticosteroids or other immunosuppressants. Novel treatment approaches include intratympanic steroids and biological response modulators against tumor necrosis factor-α. We present a case of AIED, who concomitantly developed seronegative inflammatory polyarthritis (IPA). The treatment for IPA was initiated with methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, and intra-articular methyl prednisolone. When there was no adequate response, the patient was started on adalimumab, which in addition to IPA also showed beneficial effects on AIED.

Keywords

• adalimumab
• arthritis
• autoimmune ear disease