D-penicillamine in the treatment of eosinophilic fasciitis: case reports and review of the literature.

Abstract

Eosinophilic fasciitis (EF) is a rare disease characterized by symmetrical thickness and hardening of the skin, especially localized to forearms and thorax, with eosinophilia. Corticosteroids represent the first-line therapy, even if some patients are scarcely responsive and/or may develop important side effects due to long-term treatment. Here, we describe three cases of EF, two of them refractory to previous steroid therapy, successfully treated with D-penicillamine. The present clinical observations together with the updated review of the literature suggest usefulness of D-penicillamine in EF patients, as well as its potential steroid-sparing value.

• Authors: C U Manzini, M Sebastiani, D Giuggioli, A Manfredi, M Colaci, A M Cesinaro, C Ferri
• Journal: Clinical rheumatology (Clin Rheumatol) Vol. 31 Issue 1 Pg. 183-7 (Jan 2012) ISSN: 1434-9949 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 21989991 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Antirheumatic Agents
• Glucocorticoids
• Penicillamine

Topics

• Antirheumatic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Drug Resistance (drug effects)
• Drug Substitution
• Eosinophilia (diagnosis, drug therapy)
• Fasciitis (diagnosis, drug therapy)
• Female
• Glucocorticoids (pharmacology)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Penicillamine (therapeutic use)
• Treatment Outcome