Efficacy of rituximab in refractory neuromyelitis optica

2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. 955-959 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Collongues ◽  
D Brassat ◽  
E Maillart ◽  
P Labauge ◽  
JC Ouallet ◽  
...  

Background: Despite a growing use of rituximab (RTX) in neuromyelitis optica (NMO), data are lacking in patients with refractory NMO (RNMO), defined as cases with at least one relapse during immunosuppressive therapy. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess RTX as a maintenance therapy in RNMO. Methods: Out of a total of 305 NMO cases from a population-based cohort, 21 RNMO patients received RTX during a mean follow-up period of 31 months. Results: After RTX, 11 patients (52.3%) were relapse free, meaning that 47.7% were refractory to RTX. The mean annualized relapse rate decreased from 1.3 to 0.4 ( p<0.001) and median EDSS from 5 to 3 ( p=0.02). Body mass index (BMI) was predictive of EDSS worsening. Conclusions: RTX is an effective and well-tolerated treatment in RNMO. BMI could be a predictive factor for efficacy.

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7_suppl4) ◽  
pp. 2325967121S0024
Author(s):  
Michael Kucharik ◽  
Paul Abraham ◽  
Mark Nazal ◽  
Nathan Varady ◽  
Wendy Meek ◽  
...  

Objectives: Acetabular labral tears distort the architecture of the hip and result in accelerated osteoarthritis and increases in femoroacetabular stress. Uncomplicated tears with preserved, native fibers can be fixed to acetabular bone using labral repair techniques, which have shown improved outcomes when compared to the previous gold standard, labral debridement and resection. If the tear is complex or the labrum is hypoplastic, labral reconstruction techniques can be utilized to add grafted tissue to existing, structurally intact tissue or completely replace a deficient labrum. The ultimate goal is to reconstruct the labrum to restore the labral seal and hip biomechanics. Clinical outcomes using autografts and allografts from multiple sources for segmental and whole labral reconstruction have been reported as successful. However, reconstruction using autografts has been associated with substantial donor-site morbidity. More recently, all-arthroscopic capsular autograft labral reconstruction has been proposed as a way to repair complex or irreparable tears without the downside of donor-site morbidity. Since all-arthroscopic capsular autograft labral reconstruction is a novel technique, there is limited data in the literature on patient outcomes. The purpose of this study is to report outcomes in patients who have undergone this procedure at a minimum 2-year follow-up. Methods: This is a retrospective case series of prospectively collected data on patients who underwent arthroscopic acetabular labral repair by a senior surgeon between December 2013 and May 2017. Patients who failed at least 3 months of conservative therapy and had a symptomatic labral tear on magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) were designated for hip arthroscopy. The inclusion criteria for this study were adult patients age 18 or older who underwent arthroscopic labral repair with capsular autograft labral reconstruction and completion of a minimum 2-year follow-up. Intraoperatively, these patients were found to have a labrum with hypoplastic tissue (width < 5 mm), complex tearing, or frank degeneration of native tissue. Patients with lateral center edge angle (LCEA) ≤ 20° were excluded from analysis. Using the patients’ clinical visit notes with detailed history and physical exam findings, demographic and descriptive data were collected, including age, sex, laterality, body mass index (BMI), and Tönnis grade to evaluate osteoarthritis. Patients completed patient-reported outcome measures and postoperatively at 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, and annually thereafter. Results: A total of 72 hips (69 patients) met inclusion criteria. No patients were excluded. The cohort consisted of 37 (51.4%) male and 35 (48.6%) female patients. The minimum follow-up was 24 months, with an average follow-up of 30.3 ± 13.2 months (range, 24-60). The mean patient age was 44.0 ± 10.4 years (range 21-64), with mean body mass index of 26.3 ± 4.3. The cohort consisted of 6 (8.3%) Tönnis grade 0, 48 (66.7%) Tönnis grade 1, and 18 (25.0%) Tönnis grade 2. Two (2.8%) progressed to total hip arthroplasty. Intraoperatively, 5 (6.9%) patients were classified as Outerbridge I, 14 (19.4%) Outerbridge II, 45 (62.5%) Outerbridge III, and 8 (11.1%) Outerbridge IV. Seventy-two (100.0%) patients had a confirmed labral tear, 34 (47.2%) isolated pincer lesion, 4 (5.6%) isolated CAM lesion, and 27 (37.5%) had both a pincer and CAM lesion. The mean of differences between preoperative and 24-month postoperative follow-up PROMs was 22.5 for mHHS, 17.4 for HOS-ADL, 32.7 for HOS-Sport, 22.9 for NAHS, 33.9 for iHOT-33. (Figure 1) The mean of differences between preoperative and final post-operative follow-up PROMs was 22.1 for mHHS, 17.6 for HOS-ADL, 33.2 for HOS-Sport, 23.3 for NAHS, and 34.2 for iHOT-33. (Table 1) Patient age and presence of femoroacetabular impingement were independently predictive of higher postoperative PROM improvements at final follow-up, whereas Tönnis grade was not. (Table 2) The proportion of patients to achieve the minimally clinically important difference (MCID), substantial clinical benefit (SCB), and patient acceptable symptom state (PASS) thresholds were also calculated. (Table 3) Conclusions: In this study of 72 hips undergoing arthroscopic labral repair with capsular autograft labral reconstruction, we found excellent outcomes that exceeded the MCID thresholds in the majority of patients at an average 30.3 months follow-up. When compared to capsular reconstruction from autografts and allografts, this technique offers the potential advantages of minimized donor-site morbidity and fewer complications, respectively. [Table: see text][Table: see text][Table: see text]


2019 ◽  
Vol 104 (4) ◽  
pp. 582-587 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Jiang ◽  
Decai Wang ◽  
Wei Wang ◽  
Feng Chen ◽  
Lanhua Wang ◽  
...  

PurposeTo investigate the 5-year changes in static and dynamic anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) parameters and their predictors.MethodsThis was a prospective, population-based cohort study of people aged 50 years and older residing in the Liwan District, Guangzhou, China. Standardised AS-OCT scans were performed in November 2008 and November 2013 under dark and light conditions. Customised software was used to analyse horizontal AS-OCT images. Parameters in dark and measurements of light-to-dark changes were used for analyses.ResultsA total of 186 (71.8%) subjects underwent AS-OCT twice, 5 years apart and were included for analyses. The mean age in 2008 was 64.7±7.0 years, and 60.2% were women. The anterior chamber width (ACW) decreased from 11.74±0.44 mm in 2008 to 11.60±0.37 mm in 2013 (p=0.001). There was a trend towards a decrease in dynamic capacity (light-to-dark changes) in the anterior segment, with decreased iris thickness at 750 µm (ΔIT750), ΔACW, Δ anterior chamber area (ACA) and Δ pupil diameter at 5 years (all p<0.05). After adjusting for age and sex, the following baseline parameters were associated with a greater decrease rate in trabecular iris space area at 500 µm (TISA500) at 5 years: TISA500, IT750 and ACA in dark (p<0.001 for all).ConclusionsAnterior chamber angle width decreased and the amount of light-to-dark changes declined during 5-year follow-up. Subjects with greater height, wider angle width and thicker iris at baseline have greater angle narrowing at follow-up.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Langerth ◽  
L. Brandt ◽  
A. Ekbom ◽  
B.-M. Karlson

In order to assess the risk of long-term complications following endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) for common bile duct stones (CBDS), we conducted a cohort study. The study included 1,113 patients who underwent ES for CBDS in six different hospitals in central Sweden between 1977 and 1990. Through the use of the Swedish population registry, each patient was assigned five population-based controls matched for sex and age. Linkage to the Inpatient Registry yielded information on morbidity and mortality for the patients as well as for the controls. After one year of washout, there were 964 patients available for follow-up. The mean age was 70.6 years, 57% were women, and the mean length of follow-up was 8.9 years. The patients’ overall morbidity was significantly higher and we observed a tendency towards increased mortality as well. Recurrent CBDS was diagnosed in 4.1% of the patients. Acute cholangitis with a hazard ratio (HR) of 36 (95%CI 11–119.4) was associated with recurrent CBDS in 39% of the patients. HR for acute pancreatitis was 6.2 (95%CI 3.4–11.3) and only one patient had CBDS at the same time. In conclusion, we consider acute pancreatitis and cholangitis both as probable long-term complications after ES.


2009 ◽  
Vol 141 (2) ◽  
pp. 253-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenny P. Pang ◽  
Raymond Tan ◽  
Puravi Puraviappan ◽  
David J. Terris

OBJECTIVE: Review long-term results of the modified cautery-assisted palatoplasty (mod CAPSO)/anterior palatoplasty for the treatment of mild-moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). STUDY DESIGN: Prospective series of 77 patients. All patients were >18 years old, type I Fujita, body mass index (BMI) < 33, Friedman clinical stage II, with apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) from 1.0 to 30.0. The mean follow-up time was 33.5 months. The procedure involved an anterior soft palatal advancement technique with or without removal of the tonsils. The procedure was done under general or local anesthesia. RESULTS: There were 69 men and eight women; the mean age was 39.3 years old; and mean BMI was 24.9 (range 20.7–26.8). There were 38 snorers and 39 OSA patients. The AHI improved in patients with OSA, 25.3 ± 12.6 to 11.0 ± 9.9 ( P < 0.05). The overall success rate for this OSA group was 71.8 percent (at mean 33.5 months). The mean snore scores (visual analog score) improved from 8.4 to 2.5 (for all 77 patients). Lowest oxygen saturation also improved in all OSA patients. Subjectively, all patients felt less tired. CONCLUSION: This technique has been shown to be effective in the management of patients with snoring and mild-moderate OSA.


2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gulay Yilmaz ◽  
Volkan Polatkan ◽  
Ebru Ozdemir ◽  
Turker Erturk ◽  
Emel Tatli ◽  
...  

Abstract Background and Aims BK virus nephropathy occurs in up to 10% of kidney transplant recipients and can result in graft loss. The reactivation of BK virus is largely asymptomatic, and routine surveillance especially in the first 12-24 months after transplant is necessary for early recognition and intervention. Reduced immunosuppression and antiviral treatment in the early stages may be effective in stopping BK virus replication. This study is designed to investigate the effect of management in immunosuppressive therapy on BK virus titers and graft functions in our kidney transplant group. Method A total of 370 kidney transplant recipients between the ages of 18-69 years and receiving a triple immunosuppressive therapy (Tacrolimus+Mycophenoloic Acid+Prednisolone) were included in the study. Demographic characteristics, BK virus titers, serum creatinine and immunosuppressive drug (Tacrolimus, Everolimus) levels were measured at regular intervals in the first 24 months. Among these patients 43 of them were found to have BK virus positivity. At the time of the detection of BK virus positivity, patients were divided into three groups regarding the change in the immunosuppressive protocols: Group I: Tacrolimus + Everolimus + Prednisolone, Group II: Everolimus + Prednisolone, Group III: Tacrolimus + Prednisolone. BK virus titers and graft functions of all three groups were compared with each other. SPSS 15 for Windows was used for statistical analysis. Results The mean age of the patients was 45.3 years, and the mean duration of transplantation was 16.3 months at the time of the BK virus positivity. During the follow-up, mean Tacrolimus levels were found to be in their highest value (14.1 ng/mL) in the posttransplant three months while BK virus titer reached the highest value (1.1x106 copies/ml) in the posttransplant seven to nine months. Increased creatinine values two months after BK virus positivity were strongly correlated (p = 0.02, p = 0.008, p = 0.05, p = 0.002 at 6th, 9th, 12th and 24th months, respectively). A significant decrease in BK virus titers was observed in all three groups due to reductions in immunosuppressive treatment protocol (p = 0.005, p = 0.003, p = 0.028, in groups I, II, III respectively). Conclusion Our study favors the benefits of the prospective screening for BK virus to identify early viral replication, permit intervention, and prevent progression to nephropathy or allograft loss. The best studied treatment for BK viremia and nephropathy is careful reduction of immunosuppression


2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibolya File ◽  
László Ujhelyi ◽  
Jozsef Balla ◽  
László Bidiga ◽  
Trinn Csilla ◽  
...  

Abstract Background and Aims There are numerous studies on AAV, however, data describing the use of immunosuppressive treatment in AAV patients (pts) on chronic dialysis are limited. Most studies found that the incidence of infection is much higher than that of relapses (0.05-0.1 pt per year), suggesting that immunosuppression should be stopped after 3 months in pts with end-stage renal failure. Material, Method Retrospective analysis of immunosuppressive treatment in pts on chronic dialysis due to AAV. From 1995 to 2019 139 pts were diagnosed with AAV. Among them 38 patients (26 female, 12 male, mean age 58 years) needed chronic dialysis (&gt;90 days) due to severe renal AAV (29), relapsing renal disease (6) or progressive CKD without active vasculitis (3). Results Microscopic polyangiitis was diagnosed in 20, granulomatosis with polyangiitis in 14, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis in 4 cases. MPO-ANCA was more frequent than PR3-ANCA (23 vs 12), in one case both ANCAs were positive, and in two cases both were negative. The mean dialysis duration was 55 months (4–180 months). 18 pts (47%) had at least one relapse during the observation period. The mean age, the clinical diagnosis, the type of ANCA did not cause any difference, the dialysis time was longer in the relapsed pts group (72+/-38 vs. 40+/-29 months) compared to pts without relapse. High relapse rate was seen in 6 cases. Three patient had continuously high level of PR3-ANCA without relapse or any sign of disease. Relapses were treated mostly with combined therapy of corticosteroids and oral/intravenous cyclophosphamide followed by azathioprin maintenance therapy. Cortocosteroid alone was used in 7 pts, rituximab in five pts as maintenance therapy. Serious infection (needing hospital care) rate during any immunosuppressive treatment was 0.12 per patient-years. There were 12 deaths on dialysis, the median time to death was 61 months (range 3–132). The deaths rate was higher (9/18 vs. 4/20) in relapsed pts, 4 occurring during immunosuppressive treatment. Causes of deaths were cardiovascular (8), sepsis (3), malignancy (2 pts). Seven pts received kidney grafts, 15 pts remained on dialysis, but in three case dialysis could be discontinued after 16, 35 and 36 months. Conclusion Our study points to higher relapse rate and lower serious infection rate in AAV pts on chronic dialysis compared to previous studies. It seems reasonable to continue immunosuppression above 3 months in pts remaining on chronic dialysis. This approach may decrease the relapse rate preventing damage of other organs, allowing transplantation and in some pts recovery of renal function could be achieved.


2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 29566
Author(s):  
Magali Santos Lumertz ◽  
Ângela De Moura ◽  
Leonardo Araújo Pinto ◽  
Paulo Augusto Moreira Camargos ◽  
Paulo José Cauduro Marostica

AIMS: To compare clinical, laboratory and spirometric parameters of preschoolers (ages from three to six years old) with cystic fibrosis identified by abnormal newborn screening test (NS group), with data of patients whose diagnostic suspicion arose from characteristic clinical signs and symptoms (CS group).METHODS:  Retrospective cohort study, with a sample obtained from the medical charts of patients who received specialized and multidisciplinary outpatient follow-up. All the included children had a confirmed diagnosis of cystic fibrosis by sweat electrolyte testing and/or genetic sequencing. Variables included sex, weight, height, body mass index, number of hospitalizations per year, Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization, presence of pancreatic insufficiency and Shwachman score, which covers four domains: general activity, nutrition, radiological examination and physical evaluation, each one scored between 5 and 25 points. A total score ≤40 points indicates severe state, and ≥86 points indicates excellent state. For comparison of pulmonary function, data from the last spirometry performed before the age of six years were used. Outcomes were compared by chi-square or Student's t test, with a significance limit of 0.05.RESULTS: Twenty-four patients were included in the study, seven children in the NS group and 17 children in the CS group. The children of the NS group started follow-up with a mean age of 1.51±2.04 months, and those of the CS group started with 3.77±1.80 months (p=0.014). The mean Shwachman score was 94.40±2.19 in the NS vs. 87.67±8.00 in the CS group (p=0.018). The mean Z score for body mass index was 0.95±1.02 in the NS group vs. 0.51±1.05 in the CS group (p=0.051). Spirometric variables had slightly higher values in the NS group, with no statistically significant difference between groups.CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that those patients diagnosed with cystic fibrosis from the neonatal screening test suspicion benefited from an early intervention, being able to initiate pulmonary function tests and receive treatment and counseling earlier. Evaluation of clinical parameters with the Shwachman score showed that benefits could be already observed at the preschool age.


2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akio Suzumura ◽  
Takuya Nakamuro ◽  
Tsukasa Tamaru ◽  
Tetsuya Takayanagi

Phosphodiesterase inhibitors (PDEIs), when used in combination, synergistically suppress TNFa production by various cells and also suppress experimental demyelination at very low concentrations. We conducted a pilot study to determine whether the combination of three PDEIs suppresses the relapse of MS at the usual therapeutic doses. Of the 12 relapsing remitting MS, the mean relapse rate/year dropped remarkably (from 3.08+3.32 to 0.92+1.86) after PDEI treatment. Seven out of 12 (58.3%) were relapse-free in the follow up period (499+142 days). The combination of three PDEIs can be safe and useful strategy for the future treatment of MS.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 205435811989855
Author(s):  
Shawna Mann ◽  
Kyla L. Naylor ◽  
Eric McArthur ◽  
S. Joseph Kim ◽  
Greg Knoll ◽  
...  

Background: In Ontario, kidney transplants have risen by 4% annually in recent years. An understanding of how this will affect the future annual number of posttransplant follow-up visits informs how to organize and deliver care. Objective: We projected the required number of annual posttransplant follow-up nephrology visits to inform posttransplant care delivery. Design: Population-based retrospective cohort study. Setting: Linked databases from Ontario, Canada (population 14 million). Patients: Incident kidney transplant recipients from years 2008 to 2013. Measurements: Frequency, distance traveled, and current and projected visits for posttransplant follow-up. Methods: Assuming a graft survival of 13 years and using the mean number of posttransplant clinic visits in years 1, 2, and 3, we forecasted the number of clinic visits needed in the year 2027. Results: Using data from 2443 recipients, the mean (SD) number of clinic visits per recipient was 14.0 (9.2) in the first year after transplant, and 3.9 (6.2) and 3.0 (5.3) in the second and third year, respectively. If transplant rates rise by 4% per year until 2027, the estimated annual visits number will increase from 30 622 to 43 948. The median (25th, 75th percentile) distance between transplant center and patient’s home was 30 (13, 65) km. The median round-trip travel distance for these visits in the first year after transplantation was 603 km per recipient, and median driving cost was Can$344 (2017). Limitations: Regarding patient expense, limitations include that distances traveled were calculated orthodromically, and we did not account for patient cost of follow-up beyond that of vehicular travel. Regarding follow-up projections, limitations include the assumption that graft life span will not change, follow-up patterns do not differ between donor kidney type, and we did not survey stakeholders as to their preferred method of follow-up. Conclusion: We quantified the increase in posttransplant visits when regional annual rates of transplantation rise. Strategies recognizing the burden of these visits may enhance patient-centered care, as it is unclear how some patients manage costs, nor how the current health care system will manage the demand.


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