Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of rituximab in patients suffering from rhupus unresponsive to therapy with non-biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Methods: Six patients fulfilling criteria for both rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and with a DAS28 score >5.1 were enrolled to receive two fortnightly 1000 mg rituximab doses at baseline and after 28 weeks. All patients underwent clinical, laboratory, and power- Doppler (PD) ultrasonographic (US) assessment at baseline and after 14, 28 and 56 weeks. Results: A sustained improvement in DAS28, SLEDAI, HAQ, laboratory markers and ultrasound indices together with a significant reduction in the daily dose of prednisone were observed throughout follow-up. Conclusion: Rituximab may be a safe and effective therapeutic option in refractory rhupus patients.
Rituximab treatment for 'rhupus syndrome': clinical and power-Doppler ultrasonographic monitoring of response. A longitudinal pilot study
PIGA, MATTEO;GABBA, ALESSANDRA;CAULI, ALBERTO;VACCA, ALESSANDRA;MATHIEU, ALESSANDRO
2013-01-01
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of rituximab in patients suffering from rhupus unresponsive to therapy with non-biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Methods: Six patients fulfilling criteria for both rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and with a DAS28 score >5.1 were enrolled to receive two fortnightly 1000 mg rituximab doses at baseline and after 28 weeks. All patients underwent clinical, laboratory, and power- Doppler (PD) ultrasonographic (US) assessment at baseline and after 14, 28 and 56 weeks. Results: A sustained improvement in DAS28, SLEDAI, HAQ, laboratory markers and ultrasound indices together with a significant reduction in the daily dose of prednisone were observed throughout follow-up. Conclusion: Rituximab may be a safe and effective therapeutic option in refractory rhupus patients.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
---|---|---|---|
Rituximab treatment for 'rhupus syndrome' - Lupus-2013-Piga-624-8.pdf
Solo gestori archivio
Tipologia:
versione editoriale (VoR)
Dimensione
176.78 kB
Formato
Adobe PDF
|
176.78 kB | Adobe PDF | Visualizza/Apri Richiedi una copia |
I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.