| Abstract | Glucocorticoids and immunosuppressive agents can induce remission in most patients with pemphigus, but mortality remains at 5 to 15% due to complications from these drugs. We reviewed the adjunctive effect of long-term plasmapheresis in 8 patients with pemphigus. Four cases had been resistant to conventional therapy. One or two large-volume plasmapheresis treatments were given monthly for 5 to 73 months. All patients were in clinical remission within 2 months after the addition of plasmapheresis. Relapses of pemphigus seldom occurred, and the patients stayed in remission 90% (40-100%) (median and ranges) of the plasmapheresis period. In all cases the daily dose of glucocorticoid was reduced. The prednisone level could be decreased significantly from 38 (15-80) mg/day to 10 (5-35) mg/day (p = 0.008). The overall level of other immunosuppressive agents remained unchanged, except in one patient where cyclosporine was introduced. This first report of long-term plasmapheresis demonstrates clinical efficacy in pemphigus and a considerable steroid-sparing effect. |
| Authors | K Søndergaard, J Carstens, J Jørgensen, H Zachariae
(Affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark.)
|
| Journal | Acta dermato-venereologica
(Acta Derm Venereol)
Vol. 75
Issue 2
Pg. 150-2
(Mar 1995)
ISSN: 0001-5555 NORWAY |
| PMID | 7604647
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
|
| Chemical References |
- Glucocorticoids
- Immunosuppressive Agents
|
| Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Combined Modality Therapy
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Female
- Glucocorticoids
(administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
- Humans
- Immunosuppressive Agents
(administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Pemphigus
(physiopathology, therapy)
- Plasmapheresis
(methods)
- Prognosis
- Treatment Outcome
|
