Rituximab versus azathioprine for ANCA-associated vasculitis maintenance therapy: Impact on global disability and health-related quality of life
IF 2.724 (2014); International audience; OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and functional capability of rituximab vs azathioprine for ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) maintenance therapy. METHODS: In a 24-month phase III randomised-controlled trial, 115 patients over time received rituximab or azathioprine for AAV maintenance therapy. Mean changes of 36-item Short-form Health Survey (SF-36) and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) scores from baseline were analysed. RESULTS: Mean improvements of HAQ scores, from baseline to month 24 were significantly better for the rituximab (0.16 points lower) than the azathioprine group (p=0.038). As demons…
Long-term efficacy of remission-maintenance regimens for ANCA-associated vasculitides.
International audience; Objective - To compare long-term efficacy of remission-maintenance regimens in patients with newly diagnosed or relapsing antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)-associated vasculitides. Methods - The 28-month Maintenance of Remission using Rituximab in Systemic ANCA-associated Vasculitis trial compared rituximab with azathioprine to maintain remission in patients with newly diagnosed or relapsing granulomatosis with polyangiitis, microscopic polyangiitis or renal-limited ANCA-associated vasculitis. Thereafter, prospective patient follow-up lasted until month 60. The primary endpoint was the major-relapse rate at month 60. Relapse and serious adverse event-free …