A pilot study of thalidomide for patients with symptomatic mesenteric panniculitis.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Mesenteric panniculitis is a rare condition with no standard therapy.

AIM:

To assess the safety and efficacy of thalidomide for the treatment of patients with symptomatic mesenteric panniculitis using a newly established clinical disease activity index (Mesenteric Panniculitis Subjective Assessment Score).

METHODS:

In an open-label pilot study, five patients with symptomatic mesenteric panniculitis received oral thalidomide, 200 mg nightly, for 12 weeks. The primary end-point was a reduction in the Mesenteric Panniculitis Subjective Assessment Score by > or = 20% at 12 weeks or complete remission (absence of symptoms).

RESULTS:

Four (80%) of the five patients responded. The median Mesenteric Panniculitis Subjective Assessment Score at baseline was 39 and at week 12 was 25 (average decrease of 44%). One patient achieved complete remission by week 4, which was sustained. At 12 weeks, three (75%) patients experienced a global response, five (100%) patients had a > or = 20% (range, 29-98%) decrease in erythrocyte sedimentation rate and three (75%) patients had a > or = 20% (range, 61-93%) decrease in C-reactive protein. Abdomino-pelvic computed tomography scans were unchanged in all five patients. There were no serious adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS:

Thalidomide is safe, well tolerated and efficacious in the treatment of some patients with symptomatic mesenteric panniculitis. Further study is indicated.

• Authors: P M Ginsburg, E D Ehrenpreis
• Journal: Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics (Aliment Pharmacol Ther) Vol. 16 Issue 12 Pg. 2115-22 (Dec 2002) ISSN: 0269-2813 [Print] England
• PMID: 12452945 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
• Gastrointestinal Agents
• Immunosuppressive Agents
• Thalidomide
• C-Reactive Protein

Topics

• Aged
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal (therapeutic use)
• Blood Sedimentation
• C-Reactive Protein (metabolism)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Gastrointestinal Agents (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Immunosuppressive Agents (therapeutic use)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Panniculitis, Peritoneal (blood, drug therapy)
• Pilot Projects
• Prospective Studies
• Severity of Illness Index
• Thalidomide (therapeutic use)
• Treatment Outcome