| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2023 | Volume
: 9
| Issue : 1 | Page : 21-27 |
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Efficacy and safety of rituximab in treatment of systemic sclerosis: A retrospective study
Anupama Singh, Uday Kumar Udayan, Pankaj Kumar Tiwary, Gopal Prasad, Abhijeet Kumar Jha, Md Zeeshan, Shivangi Singh
Department of Skin & VD, Patna Medical College and Hospital, Patna, Bihar, India
Correspondence Address:
Anupama Singh
Department of Skin & VD, Patna Medical College and Hospital, Patna 800004, Bihar
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/ijdd.ijdd_16_22
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Background: Conventional treatment of systemic sclerosis with drugs for symptom control and broad-spectrum immunosuppression has remained unsatisfactory. Depletion of B-lymphocytes, which are a crucial element in pathogenesis, with rituximab (RTX) has produced encouraging results. Objective: This study aimed to retrospectively analyze the safety and efficacy of RTX in systemic sclerosis. Materials and Methods: Baseline, 6- and 12-month follow-up data of 13 systemic sclerosis (11 diffuse and 2 limited) patients (10 adult and 3 adolescent) who received 4 infusions of 500 mg RTX at 2-weekly intervals was accessed and retrospectively analyzed. Results: Modified Rodnan Skin Score progressively improved from a baseline of 22.2 ± 7.97 to 17.7 ± 7.95 at 6 months (P < 0.05) and 14 ± 7.12 at 12 months (P < 0.05 vs. baseline and 6-month), and mouth opening increased from 2.23 ± 0.44 fingers to 3.5 ± 0.52 fingers at 12 months (P < 0.05). Pruritus and melanoderma improved in all those affected. Raynaud’s phenomenon improved in 12/13, whereas digital ulcers improved significantly in 9/12 patients. Arthritis remitted in the six affected patients, and percentage predicted forced vital capacity improved from a baseline of 70 ± 9.09 to 76.54 ± 7.5 at 12 months (P < 0.05). There were no serious adverse effects. Conclusion: RTX showed good outcome in cutaneous, joint, and pulmonary features of systemic sclerosis without any significant adverse event. |
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