BACKGROUND: Rituximab (RTX) is approved for remission induction in ANCA associated vasculitis (AAV). However, data on use of RTX in patients with severe renal disease is lacking. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective multi-center study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of RTX with glucocorticoids (GC) with and without use of concomitant cyclophosphamide (CYC) for remission induction in patients presenting with e GFR less than 20 ml/min/1.73 m(2). We evaluated outcomes of remission at 6 months (6 M), renal recovery after acute dialysis at diagnosis, e-GFR rise at 6 M, patient and renal survival and adverse events. RESULTS: A total 37 patients met the inclusion criteria. The median age was 61 years. (55-73), 62 % were males, 78 % had new diagnosis and 59 % were MPO ANCA positive. The median (IQR) e-GFR at diagnosis was 13 ml/min/1.73 m(2) (7-16) and 15 required acute dialysis. Eleven (30 %) had alveolar hemorrhage. Twelve (32 %) received RTX with GC, 25 (68 %) received RTX with GC and CYC and seventeen (46 %) received plasma exchange. The median (IQR) follow up was 973 (200-1656) days. Thirty two of 33 patients (97 %) achieved remission at 6 M and 10 of 15 patients (67 %) requiring dialysis recovered renal function. The median prednisone dose at 6 M was 6 mg/day. The mean (SD) increase in e-GFR at 6 months was 14.5 (22) ml/min/m(2). Twelve patients developed ESRD during follow up. There were 3 deaths in the first 6 months. When stratified by use of concomitant CYC, there were no differences in baseline e GFR, use of plasmapheresis, RTX dosing regimen or median follow up days between the groups. No differences in remission, renal recovery ESRD or death were observed. CONCLUSIONS: This study of AAV patients with severe renal disease demonstrates that the outcomes appear equivalent when treated with RTX and GC with or without concomitant CYC.

Addenbrooke's Hospital Cambridge UK

Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine Linköping University Linköping Sweden

Department of Medicine Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia USA

Department of Medicine Johns Hopkins University Baltimore MD USA

Department of Medicine Linkoping University Linkoping Sweden

Department of Nephrology Charles University Prague Czech Republic

Department of Rheumatology Linköping University Linköping Sweden

Hospital 12 de Octubre in Madrid Madrid Spain

Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center Johns Hopkins University Baltimore MD 21224 USA

School of Immunity and Infection College of Medical and Dental Sciences University of Birmingham Birmingham UK

University of Birmingham Birmingham UK

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