Recurrent acute idiopathic pericarditis: rheumatologic therapy, autoantibodies and long term outcome

Abstract Views: 1109
PDF: 989
Publisher's note
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

Authors

Objective: To evaluate therapy and rheumatologic aspects of recurrent acute idiopathic pericarditis (RAIP). Methods: We studied 46 patients. We used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) at high dosage. We did not start corticosteroid: if already started, we planned a very slow tapering; 37 patients (80.4%) were treated with colchicines. We also assessed the frequency of ANA, anti-SSA and Rheumatoid factor. Results:With our protocol recurrences dropped from 0.46 to 0.03 attacks/patient/month (p<0.00001) within 12 months and remained at the same level (0.024) till the end of the follow-up (mean 8 years). In the 37 patients treated with colchicine recurrences dropped from 0.5 to 0.03 (p<0.0001) within 12 months, and in 9 patients not given colchicine from 0.27 to 0.045 (p<0.005).When colchicine was used the decrease was significantly higher (0.47 vs 0.23) (p<0.001). In 27 (58.7%) patients ANA were positive at a titre >1/80, in 7 (15.2%) >1/160. Rheumatoid factor was positive in 7 (15.2%) and anti-SSA in 4 (8.7%). During the follow-up 4 (8.7%) new diagnosis of Sjogren and 1 (2.2%) of Rheumatoid Arthritis were made. Conclusion: NSAIDs at high dosage, slow tapering of corticosteroid and colchicine are very effective in RAIP. The improvement is more dramatic in colchicine treated patients, but also other patients can achieve good control of the disease. The finding of ANA, anti-SSA and the new rheumatological diagnoses support the involvement of autoimmunity.

Dimensions

Altmetric

PlumX Metrics

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Citations

How to Cite

Brambilla, G., Brucato, A., Adler, Y., Bosetti, M., Coppini, P., Caforio, A., Spodick, D., & Canesi, B. (2007). Recurrent acute idiopathic pericarditis: rheumatologic therapy, autoantibodies and long term outcome. Reumatismo, 59(1), 25–31. https://doi.org/10.4081/reumatismo.2007.25