RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Efficacy of rituximab in primary Sjögren's syndrome with peripheral nervous system involvement: results from the AIR registry
JF Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
JO Ann Rheum Dis
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and European League Against Rheumatism
SP 84
OP 87
DO 10.1136/annrheumdis-2011-200086
VO 71
IS 1
A1 A Mekinian
A1 P Ravaud
A1 P Y Hatron
A1 C Larroche
A1 J Leone
A1 B Gombert
A1 M Hamidou
A1 A Cantagrel
A1 C Marcelli
A1 S Rist
A1 M Breban
A1 D Launay
A1 O Fain
A1 J E Gottenberg
A1 X Mariette
YR 2012
UL http://ard.bmj.com/content/71/1/84.abstract
AB 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.