Efficacy of rituximab in primary Sjogren's syndrome with peripheral nervous system involvement: results from the AIR registry.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate rituximab (RTX) in primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) with peripheral nervous system (PNS) involvement.

METHODS:

Patients with pSS and PNS involvement who were included in the French AIR registry were analysed.

RESULTS:

17 patients (age 60 years (44-78 years); 14 were female) were analysed. Neurological improvement was noted in 11 patients (65%) at 3 months. Rankin scale decreased from 3 (1-5) to 2 (1-5), 2 (1-5) and 2 (1-6) after 3, 6 and 9 months (p=0.02). European Sjögren's Syndrome Disease Activity Index decreased from 18 (10-44) to 11 (5-20), 11 (5-29) and 12 (5-30) after 3, 6 and 9 months (p<0.05). RTX was effective in neurological involvement in 9/10 patients with vasculitis or cryoglobulinaemia (90%) (group 1) at 3 months and in 2/7 cases (29%) without cryoglobulinaemia and vasculitis (p=0.03). Rankin and European Sjögren's Syndrome Disease Activity Index scales decreased significantly in group 1.

CONCLUSION:

RTX seems effective in cryoglobulinaemia or vasculitis-related PNS involvement in pSS.

• Authors: A Mekinian, P Ravaud, P Y Hatron, C Larroche, J Leone, B Gombert, M Hamidou, A Cantagrel, C Marcelli, S Rist, M Breban, D Launay, O Fain, J E Gottenberg, X Mariette
• Journal: Annals of the rheumatic diseases (Ann Rheum Dis) Vol. 71 Issue 1 Pg. 84-7 (Jan 2012) ISSN: 1468-2060 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 21926185 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Multicenter Study)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
• Antirheumatic Agents
• Rituximab

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Antirheumatic Agents (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Cryoglobulinemia (complications, drug therapy)
• Drug Evaluation (methods)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Peripheral Nervous System Diseases (drug therapy, etiology)
• Registries
• Rituximab
• Sjogren's Syndrome (complications, drug therapy)
• Treatment Outcome
• Vasculitis (complications, drug therapy)