Back to Search
Start Over
Low-dose mepolizumab is effective as an add-on therapy for treating long-lasting peripheral neuropathy in patients with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis.
- Source :
-
Modern Rheumatology . Mar2022, Vol. 32 Issue 2, p387-395. 9p. - Publication Year :
- 2022
-
Abstract
- Objective: To assess the effectiveness of low-dose mepolizumab as an add-on therapy for treating peripheral neurological symptoms in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). Methods: We prospectively studied 13 EGPA patients with conventional treatment-resistant peripheral neuropathy. Their symptoms (pain, numbness, and muscle weakness) were assessed on a visual analogue scale (VAS) before and after 12 months of mepolizumab therapy (100mg every 4weeks). Peripheral eosinophil levels and several biomarkers including urinary levels of eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN) were measured before and after therapy. Results: VAS scores for pain and numbness significantly improved after 12 months of mepolizumab therapy (from 67.0 to 48.0, P = 0.012, and from 67.0 to 51.0, P = 0.017, respectively). However, the VAS score for muscle weakness did not improve (P = 0.36). There were significant correlations between treatment-related changes in urinary EDN levels from baseline to 6 months later and percent changes in the VAS scores of pain and numbness (r = 0.75, P = 0.020; r = 0.88, P = 0.002). Conclusions: Treatment-resistant peripheral neuropathy in EGPA was significantly improved by low-dose mepolizumab, and effectiveness was correlated with decreased urinary EDN. Because the possibility of a placebo effect cannot be formally excluded, placebo-controlled studies will be required in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 14397595
- Volume :
- 32
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Modern Rheumatology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 173107889
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1093/mr/roab005