Mycophenolate mofetil for maintenance of remission in idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis.
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗
Biomedical subjects
R N Jois
Publications and source records attributed to R N Jois.
Low-dose infliximab treatment for ankylosing spondylitis--clinically- and cost-effective.
OBJECTIVES: Infliximab has been shown to be effective in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) when treated in a dose of 5 mg/kg at 6 weekly intervals. This dose of infliximab has not been determined by any structured randomized trials and has significant cost implications. We describe our experience of treating AS with low-dose infliximab (3mg/kg at 8 weekly intervals). The efficacy and cost implications are discussed. METHODS: Patients who had active AS [Bath AS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) > or = 4] were treated with infliximab 3 mg/kg at 0, 2, 6 weeks and thereafter at 8 weekly intervals. Response to treatment was defined as 50% improvement in BASDAI. Other response criteria such as ASAS 20, 40 and five of the six criteria were also assessed. Direct drug costs for infliximab were determined. RESULTS: Twenty-two consecutive AS patients received infliximab. All 22 completed treatment for 3 months, 15 patients for 6 months and 14 for 12 months. Mean age was 45 years (range 21-62) and mean disease duration 14.5 years (range 2-43). Of the patients, 54% achieved a 50% BASDAI response at 3 months and the benefit was sustained at 12 months in 63%. Similar response rate was seen with the other assessment criteria. Direct drug costs were significantly lower when low-dose infliximab regimen was used. CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose infliximab (3 mg/kg at 8 weekly infusions) is effective in the treatment of AS. Higher doses are required in a small proportion of patients when treatment is only partially effective. Titrating the dose and frequency of infusions may be required in individual patients to achieve optimal response. Using low-dose infliximab has significant economic implications.
Adult↗
Chronic periaortitis.
Chronic periaortitis commonly involves the infrarenal portion of the abdominal aorta. Idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis, inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm and perianeurysmal retroperitoneal fibrosis are its various clinical presentations. They present as a non-specific systemic inflammatory disorder and may lead to ureteric obstruction and consequent renal failure. An exaggerated inflammatory response to advanced atherosclerosis has been thought to be the main pathogenetic process. Autoimmunity has also been proposed as a contributing factor. Contrast-enhanced CT scanning is the diagnostic test of choice. Steroids and immunosuppressive agents are successfully used in the treatment of idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis and selected cases of inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm, and surgery is used in others. Early diagnosis is important in order to reduce morbidity from complications such as renal failure and mortality from aortic rupture.
Aged↗