Risk factors associated with relapse in Japanese patients with microscopic polyangiitis

Predictors of damage accrual in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis: A nationwide prospective study

OBJECTIVES

This study elucidated the prognosis and risk factors associated with damage accrual during long-term remission maintenance therapy for patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV).

METHODS

We obtained data from 120 patients registered in a nationwide prospective cohort study on remission induction therapy in Japanese patients with AAV and rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RemIT-JAV-RPGN), who achieved remission at 24 months after treatment initiation and were followed up for additional 24 months. The primary outcome was the vasculitis damage index (VDI) score at Month 48, and the secondary outcome included risk factors associated with increased total VDI at Month 48.

RESULTS

The understudied patients comprised 52 men and 68 women aged 68 ± 13 years. Between Months 25 and 48, the patients' survival rate was 95% (114/120). End-stage renal disease developed in seven patients by Month 48, and 64 cases had increased VDI. The multivariable analysis results revealed that oral prednisolone (PSL) doses at Month 24 were associated with damage accrual between Months 24 and 48.

CONCLUSIONS

VDI accrual was observed in more than half of patients with AAV during maintenance therapy, and increased VDI scores were associated with oral PSL doses 24 months after initiating remission induction therapy in Japan.

Reduced-dose versus high-dose glucocorticoids added to rituximab on remission induction in ANCA-associated vasculitis: predefined 2-year follow-up study

OBJECTIVES

The LoVAS trial reported non-inferiority in remission induction rates between the reduced-dose and conventional high-dose glucocorticoid regimens plus rituximab for antineutrophil cytoplasm antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis at 6 months; however, maintenance glucocorticoid requirements and long-term outcomes are unknown.

METHODS

A total of 140 patients with new-onset ANCA-associated vasculitis without severe glomerulonephritis or alveolar haemorrhage were randomised to receive reduced-dose prednisolone (0.5 mg/kg/day) plus rituximab (375 mg/m2/week×4) or high-dose prednisolone (1 mg/kg/day) plus rituximab. After achieving remission, patients received the rituximab maintenance therapy (1 g/6 months).

RESULTS

A total of 134 patients were analysed. Among patients who achieved remission with the protocolised treatments, the majority of patients in the reduced-dose group (89.7%) and 15.5% in the high-dose group discontinued prednisolone (median time to withdrawal, 150 and 375 days, respectively). During 24-month trial period, two patients in the reduced-dose group (2.8%) died, while five patients in the high-dose group (7.6%) died (p=0.225). Relapse occurred in nine patients in the reduced-dose group (13.0%) (two major and seven minor) and five in the high-dose group (7.6%) (two major and three minor) (p=0.311). Serious adverse events (SAEs) were less frequent in the reduced-dose group (36 events in 19 patients, 27.5%) than in the high-dose group (54 events in 30 patients, 46.2%) (p=0.025).

CONCLUSION

At 24 months, frequencies of relapse did not differ between the groups, and SAEs were less frequent in the reduced-dose group due to the lower event rate in the 6-month induction phase. The bias to myeloperoxidase-ANCA positivity (85.8%) in the trial population should be noted.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT02198248.

Association of HLA-class II alleles with risk of relapse in myeloperoxidase-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody positive vasculitis in the Japanese population

Background

Disease relapse remains a major problem in the management of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV). In European populations, HLA-DPB1*04:01 is associated with both susceptibility and relapse risk in proteinase 3-ANCA positive AAV. In a Japanese population, we previously reported an association between HLA-DRB1*09:01 and DQB1*03:03 with susceptibility to, and DRB1*13:02 with protection from, myeloperoxidase-ANCA positive AAV (MPO-AAV). Subsequently, the association of DQA1*03:02, which is in strong linkage disequilibrium with DRB1*09:01 and DQB1*03:03, with MPO-AAV susceptibility was reported in a Chinese population. However, an association between these alleles and risk of relapse has not yet been reported. Here, we examined whether HLA-class II is associated with the risk of relapse in MPO-AAV.

Methods

First, the association of HLA-DQA1*03:02 with susceptibility to MPO-AAV and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and its relationship with previously reported DRB1*09:01 and DQB1*03:03 were examined in 440 Japanese patients and 779 healthy controls. Next, the association with risk of relapse was analyzed in 199 MPO-ANCA positive, PR3-ANCA negative patients enrolled in previously reported cohort studies on remission induction therapy. Uncorrected P values (Puncorr) were corrected for multiple comparisons in each analysis using the false discovery rate method.

Results

The association of DQA1*03:02 with susceptibility to MPO-AAV and MPA was confirmed in a Japanese population (MPO-AAV: Puncorr=5.8x10-7, odds ratio [OR] 1.74, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.40-2.16, MPA: Puncorr=1.1x10-5, OR 1.71, 95%CI 1.34-2.17). DQA1*03:02 was in strong linkage disequilibrium with DRB1*09:01 and DQB1*03:03, and the causal allele could not be determined using conditional logistic regression analysis. Relapse-free survival was shorter with nominal significance in carriers of DRB1*09:01 (Puncorr=0.049, Q=0.42, hazard ratio [HR]:1.87), DQA1*03:02 (Puncorr=0.020, Q=0.22, HR:2.11) and DQB1*03:03 (Puncorr=0.043, Q=0.48, HR:1.91) than in non-carriers in the log-rank test. Conversely, serine carriers at position 13 of HLA-DRβ1 (HLA-DRβ1_13S), including DRB1*13:02 carriers, showed longer relapse-free survival with nominal significance (Puncorr=0.010, Q=0.42, HR:0.31). By combining DQA1*03:02 and HLA-DRβ1_13S, a significant difference was detected between groups with the highest and lowest risk for relapse (Puncorr=0.0055, Q=0.033, HR:4.02).

Conclusion

HLA-class II is associated not only with susceptibility to MPO-AAV but also with risk of relapse in the Japanese population.

Comparative efficacy and safety of alternative glucocorticoids regimens in patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy and safety of alternative glucocorticoids (GCs) regimens as induction therapy for patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)-associated vasculitis.

DESIGN

Systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs).

DATA SOURCES

Medline, Embase, Clinicaltrials.gov and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials up to 10 April 2020.

STUDY SELECTION AND REVIEW METHODS

RCTs comparing two (or more) different dose regimens of GC in ANCA-associated vasculitis during induction of remission, regardless of other therapies. Pairs of reviewers independently screened records, extracted data and assessed risk of bias. Two reviewers rated certainty of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach.

RESULTS

Of 3912 records identified, the full texts of two records met the eligibility criteria. Due to the heterogeneity of population and dose regimen of GCs between the two trials, we descriptively presented the two trials and did not combine the results using meta-analysis. Compared with the standard-dose regimen, the reduced-dose regimen of GC may reduce death risk difference (RD): from -1.7% to -2.1%, low certainty), while not increasing end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) (RD: from -1.5% to 0.4%, moderate certainty). The reduced-dose regimen probably has an important reduction in serious infections at 1 year (RD: from -12.8% to -5.9%, moderate certainty). Reduced-dose regimen of GCs probably has trivial or no effect in disease remission, relapse or health-related quality of life (moderate to high certainty).

CONCLUSIONS

The reduced-dose regimen of GC may reduce death at the follow-up of 6 months to longer than 1 year and serious infections while not increasing ESKD.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42020179087.

A Ruptured Jejunal Arterial Aneurysm in a Young Woman Undergoing Chronic Hemodialysis Due to Myeloperoxidase-antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-associated Vasculitis

A 21-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of massive intestinal bleeding. She started hemodialysis due to myeloperoxidase antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) at 18 years of age. Her ANCA titers remained stable; however, her C-reactive protein increased on 5 mg/day prednisolone before admission. Computed tomography angiography revealed a ruptured jejunal arterial aneurysm. Transcatheter arterial embolization, blood transfusion and the reinforcement of steroid therapy resolved her symptoms of AAV. Our case of a young patient with AAV and medium-sized arterial vasculitis is rare and emphasizes that the ANCA titer does not always rise, especially in patients with nonrenal vasculitis flare-ups.

Effect of Reduced-Dose vs High-Dose Glucocorticoids Added to Rituximab on Remission Induction in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis: A Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE

The current standard induction therapy for antineutrophil cytoplasm antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis is the combination of high-dose glucocorticoids and cyclophosphamide or rituximab. Although these regimens have high remission rates, they are associated with considerable adverse events presumably due to high-dose glucocorticoids.

OBJECTIVE

To compare efficacy and adverse events between a reduced-dose glucocorticoid plus rituximab regimen and the standard high-dose glucocorticoid plus rituximab regimen in remission induction of ANCA-associated vasculitis.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This was a phase 4, multicenter, open-label, randomized, noninferiority trial. A total of 140 patients with newly diagnosed ANCA-associated vasculitis without severe glomerulonephritis or alveolar hemorrhage were enrolled between November 2014 and June 2019 at 21 hospitals in Japan. Follow-up ended in December 2019.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients were randomized to receive reduced-dose prednisolone (0.5 mg/kg/d) plus rituximab (375 mg/m2/wk, 4 doses) (n = 70) or high-dose prednisolone (1 mg/kg/d) plus rituximab (n = 70).

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary end point was the remission rate at 6 months, and the prespecified noninferiority margin was -20 percentage points. There were 8 secondary efficacy outcomes and 6 secondary safety outcomes, including serious adverse events and infections.

RESULTS

Among 140 patients who were randomized (median age, 73 years; 81 women [57.8%]), 134 (95.7%) completed the trial. At 6 months, 49 of 69 patients (71.0%) in the reduced-dose group and 45 of 65 patients (69.2%) in the high-dose group achieved remission with the protocolized treatments. The treatment difference of 1.8 percentage points (1-sided 97.5% CI, -13.7 to ∞) between the groups met the noninferiority criterion (P = .003 for noninferiority). Twenty-one serious adverse events occurred in 13 patients in the reduced-dose group (18.8%), while 41 occurred in 24 patients in the high-dose group (36.9%) (difference, -18.1% [95% CI, -33.0% to -3.2%]; P = .02). Seven serious infections occurred in 5 patients in the reduced-dose group (7.2%), while 20 occurred in 13 patients in the high-dose group (20.0%) (difference, -12.8% [95% CI, -24.2% to -1.3%]; P = .04).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Among patients with newly diagnosed ANCA-associated vasculitis without severe glomerulonephritis or alveolar hemorrhage, a reduced-dose glucocorticoid plus rituximab regimen was noninferior to a high-dose glucocorticoid plus rituximab regimen with regard to induction of disease remission at 6 months.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02198248.

Long-term follow-up characteristics of patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) receiving chronic hemodialysis at a single center

BACKGROUND

The clinical characteristics and treatment of patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) after initiating chronic hemodialysis remain unknown.

METHODS

We retrospectively enrolled 11 adult patients with AAV receiving chronic hemodialysis in our hospital from 2000-2016. We collected data describing each patient's clinical findings and treatment before and after initiating hemodialysis. Patients with AAV with and without post-hemodialysis AAV relapse were compared statistically.

RESULTS

The average observation period was 6.8 ± 4.1 years, and the interval between diagnosis and initiating chronic hemodialysis was 1.9 ± 2.6 years. Before initiating chronic hemodialysis, five patients (45%) experienced 12 AAV relapses, with diagnoses made serologically or symptomatically. After initiating chronic hemodialysis, four patients experienced nine relapses, with no significant difference between the number of relapses and the number of patients experiencing relapse (p = 0.067 and 0.083, respectively). For patients' entire clinical courses before initiating chronic hemodialysis, the average steroid dose was 11.6 ± 6.9 g/y. Comparing before and after initiating chronic hemodialysis, the steroid dose decreased significantly to 3.3 ± 1.4 g/y after initiating chronic hemodialysis (p = 0.0012). Two of 11 patients died of serious infections after initiating chronic hemodialysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results showed that the number of relapses tended to be lower despite a significantly different lower amount of steroid after initiating hemodialysis compared with before initiating hemodialysis, and the burn-out phenomenon specific to uremic patients was inferred. We believe that early tapering of steroids should be considered to avoid death rather than focusing only on relapse.

Risk Factors for Relapse of Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-associated Vasculitis in Japan: A Nationwide, Prospective Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to elucidate the prognosis and risk factors associated with relapse during longterm remission maintenance therapy for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV).

METHODS

Patients with newly diagnosed AAV (n = 156) were registered in the Remission Induction Therapy in Japanese patients with ANCA-associated Vasculitides (RemIT-JAV) study, and among them, 83 patients who achieved remission were enrolled and followed up for 24 additional months in our nationwide, prospective cohort study (Co-RemIT-JAV; registration number UMIN 000006373). Patterns of maintenance therapy, effectiveness, and safety were evaluated from months 25 to 48 after the RemIT-JAV. The primary outcome measure was the rate of relapse. Secondary outcome measures included overall and renal survival, risk factors associated with relapse, and incidence rates of serious infections.

RESULTS

The patients comprised 35 men and 48 women aged 65.3 ± 12.6 years. Between months 25 and 48, the survival rate was 95% (79/83). Causes of death included 1 thyroid cancer, 1 infection, and 2 unknown reasons. Four patients had developed endstage renal disease (ESRD) by Month 24; 1 developed ESRD beyond Month 25. The relapse rate was 24% (20/83) from months 25 to 48. Multivariable analysis revealed that oral prednisolone ≤ 2.5 mg/day at Month 24 was a significant risk factor for relapse between months 25 and 48 (HR = 3.1, 95% CI 1.1-8.5).

CONCLUSION

One-quarter of patients with AAV relapsed during maintenance therapy, and relapse was associated with the dose of oral prednisolone 24 months after the initiation of remission induction therapy in Japan.

Low-dose glucocorticoids plus rituximab versus high-dose glucocorticoids plus rituximab for remission induction in ANCA-associated vasculitis (LoVAS): protocol for a multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Antineutrophil cytoplasm antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) is a form of systemic vasculitis. The current standard induction therapy with the combination of high-dose glucocorticoids and cyclophosphamide or rituximab has high remission rates of 80%-90%. However, it is also associated with various side effects, including death due to infection or cardiovascular disease. There is an unmet medical need of a new therapy to reduce side effects.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This is a phase IV multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled trial that aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new remission induction regimen with the combination of low-dose glucocorticoids and rituximab. Newly diagnosed patients with AAV will be assessed for eligibility at 34 tertiary rheumatology/nephrology centres in Japan. One hundred and forty patients will be randomised (1:1) to receive low-dose prednisolone (0.5 mg/kg daily) plus rituximab (375 mg/m² weekly) or high-dose prednisolone (1 mg/kg daily) plus rituximab. The trial consists of remission induction and maintenance phases. The primary endpoint of the study is the remission rate at 6 months (induction phase). Relapse and long-term safety profile will also be assessed until 24 months (maintenance phase).

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The protocol was first approved by the Institutional Review Board of Chiba University Hospital (reference number: G25051), and then approved by each participating site. The trial was registered at the University hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN) clinical registry (UMIN000014222) and ClinicalTrials.gov registry (NCT02198248). The Low-dose Glucocorticoid Vasculitis Induction Study (LoVAS) trial is currently ongoing and is due to finish in September 2019. The findings of this trial will be disseminated to participants through peer-reviewed publications and presented at national and international conferences in accordance with the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) Statement.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

UMIN000014222; NCT02198248.

Negative anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibody at switch to maintenance therapy is associated with a reduced risk of relapse

BACKGROUND

Relapse of disease is frequent in anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV). It is unclear whether persistent ANCA when starting maintenance therapy increases the risk of relapse. We examined the association between ANCA status and relapse in two randomised controlled trials.

METHODS

ANCA-positive patients in two trials, CYCLOPS and IMPROVE, were switched from cyclophosphamide to maintenance therapy after achieving clinical remission. We classified patients as being either ANCA-positive or ANCA-negative at the time they started maintenance therapy. We compared the risk of relapse in ANCA-positive and ANCA-negative patients.

RESULTS

Of 252 patients included, 102 (40%) experienced at least one relapse during the follow-up period. At the time of the switch from induction to maintenance therapy, 111 were ANCA-positive, of whom 55 (50%) relapsed, compared to 141 patients who were ANCA-negative, of whom 47 (33%) relapsed. In multivariable time-to-event analysis, a reduced risk of relapse was associated with having become ANCA-negative at the time of switching to maintenance therapy (hazard ratio 0.63, 95% confidence interval 0.42-0.95; p = 0.026). In addition, initial proteinase 3 (PR3)-ANCA, younger age, lower serum creatinine, pulsed cyclophosphamide for remission induction, and mycophenolate mofetil for remission maintenance were all associated with an increased risk of relapse.

CONCLUSIONS

Becoming ANCA-negative before the switch to maintenance is associated with a reduced risk of relapse.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

CYCLOPS: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00430105 . Registered retrospectively on 31 January 2007.

IMPROVE

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00307645 . Registered retrospectively on 27 March 2006.

Elevated serum levels of immunoglobulin A correlate with the possibility of readmission in patients with microscopic polyangiitis

BACKGROUND

The evidence for the short-term prognosis of patients with microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) is weak, and the objective of this study was to analyze the clinical features of the disease and evaluate the risk factors for readmission in patients with MPA.

METHODS

Fifty-seven patients with MPA were recruited into this study. The clinical data of these MPA patients were collected. Clinical manifestations, laboratory results, and imaging results were analyzed. Patients who were readmitted to our hospital within 6 months after their first diagnosis and treatment of MPA were defined as the readmission group; the remaining patients were defined as the control group.

RESULTS

Respiratory symptoms, including cough, dyspnea (87.72%), and hemoptysis (3.51%), seemed to be the initial symptoms in many patients with MPA. Systemic symptoms included fever (71.93%), hearing loss (12.28%), vision loss (3.51%), and joint involvement (5.27%). The D-dimer levels of 43 patients (75.44%) were >500 ng/dL, and only three of these patients had venous thrombosis. Age and immunoglobulin A (IgA) were the risk factors for readmission in patients with MPA, with odds ratios (ORs) of 1.162 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.025-1.317, P=0.019] and 1.010 (95% CI: 1.001-1.018, P=0.028). The days of hospitalization and the a2-globulin level were protective factors with ORs of 0.849 (95% CI: 0.725-0.993 P=0.041) and 0.789 (95% CI: 0.64-0.971, P=0.025), respectively. IgA levels were positively correlated with the number of hospitalizations, with a correlation coefficient of 0.428 (P=0.002). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the possibility of readmission increases when the serum levels of IgA were >217.5 mg/dL.

CONCLUSION

The level of serum IgA is a risk factor for the readmission of patients with MPA, and correlated with the number of hospitalizations in these patients.

ANCA-Associated Glomerulonephritis: Risk Factors for Renal Relapse

Relapse in ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) has been studied previously, but there are few studies on renal relapse in particular. Identifying patients at high risk of renal relapse may aid in optimizing clinical management. We investigated which clinical and histological parameters are risk factors for renal relapse in ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis (AAGN). Patients (n = 174) were newly diagnosed and had mild–moderate or severe renal involvement. Data were derived from two trials of the European Vasculitis Society: MEPEX and CYCAZAREM. The Cox regression model was used to identify parameters increasing the instantaneous risk (= rate) of renal relapse (useful for instant clinical decisions). For identifying predictors of renal relapse during follow-up, we used Fine & Gray’s regression model. Competing events were end-stage renal failure and death. The cumulative incidence of renal relapse at 5 years was 9.5% (95% CI: 4.8–14.3%). In the Cox model, sclerotic class AAGN increased the instantaneous risk of renal relapse. In Fine & Gray’s model, the absence of interstitial infiltrates at diagnosis was predictive for renal relapse. In this study we used two different models to identify possible relationships between clinical and histopathological parameters at time of diagnosis of AAV with the risk of experiencing renal relapse. Sclerotic class AAGN increased the instantaneous risk of renal relapse. This association is most likely due to the high proportion of sclerosed glomeruli reducing the compensatory capacity. The absence of interstitial infiltrates increased the risk of renal relapse which is a warning sign that patients with a relatively benign onset of disease may also be prone to renal relapse. Renal relapses occurring in patients with sclerotic class AAGN and renal relapses occurring in patients without interstitial infiltrates were mutually exclusive, which may indicate that they are essentially different.

Corticosteroid-free treatment of tocilizumab monotherapy for microscopic polyangiitis: a single-arm, single-center, clinical trial

OBJECTIVES

To assess the efficacy of tocilizumab (TCZ) monotherapy for the remission induction of microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) in a prospective single-arm, single-center, cohort, pilot study.

METHODS

Eligible patients were aged between 20 and 80 years and were newly diagnosed with MPA according to Watts' classification algorithm. Seven patients received 8 mg/kg of intravenous TCZ fortnightly for the first 2 months (5 courses), and monthly for the next 10 months (10 courses). One year after TCZ monotherapy, the patients were followed-up without any treatment. The protocol did not permit the use corticosteroids or any other immunosuppressants. Complete remission (CR) was defined as the Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score of 0 at two consecutive visits made at least a month apart.

RESULTS

CR was achieved in two of six patients (33.3%) at 6 months and three patients (50.0%) at 12 months. Two patients were withdrawn: one because of inefficacy at 6 weeks and the other because of flare at 6 months. One patient voluntarily withdrew after CR at 3 months. Four patients (66.7%) could be kept drug-free after 1 year of TCZ without relapse for 6-15 months at the last visit.

CONCLUSION

TCZ monotherapy may be an alternative treatment strategy in some patients with MPA.

Risk factors associated with relapse or infectious complications in Japanese patients with microscopic polyangiitis

BACKGROUND

The prevention of relapse and infection complications during remission maintenance therapy is required to improve the prognosis of patients with microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) showing rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN). The clinicopathological characteristics of patients with ANCA-positive MPA were examined to determine the risk factors for relapse or infectious complications after remission induction therapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study population consisted of 52 patients diagnosed as ANCA-positive MPA showing RPGN from 2002 to 2012, after publication of the Japanese guideline for RPGN. The clinicopathological findings were examined between the presence and absence of relapse or infectious complications.

RESULTS

The value of vasculitis damage index (VDI) was high for the relapse group and VDI value was identified as the leading factor associated with relapse [hazard ratio (HR) 3.36, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.58-7.12, P < 0.01]. On the other hand, the values of Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score, clinical grade category of RPGN at diagnosis, and VDI at remission were high in the infectious group. Furthermore, clinical grade category of RPGN was the leading factor associated with infectious complications (HR 5.30, 95 % CI 1.41-19.9, P = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The disease activity at diagnosis and severity of organ damage at remission were associated with relapse and infectious complications during remission maintenance therapy and infectious complication affected kidney survival and all-cause mortality in patients with ANCA-positive MPA exhibiting RPGN.

Different responses to treatment across classified diseases and severities in Japanese patients with microscopic polyangiitis and granulomatosis with polyangiitis: a nationwide prospective inception cohort study

INTRODUCTION

This study aims to elucidate the prognosis and the effectiveness of current treatments for Japanese patients with microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA).

METHODS

Patients with newly diagnosed MPA and GPA were enrolled in a nationwide, prospective, inception cohort study from 22 tertiary Japanese institutions, and treatment patterns and responses were evaluated for 24 months. Primary outcome measures were rates of remission (Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score, 0) and remission with low-dose glucocorticoids (GC) (prednisolone ≤ 10 mg) (GC remission).

RESULTS

Of 156 enrolled patients, 78 MPA patients and 33 GPA patients were included. Concomitant cyclophosphamide (CY) was used in 24 MPA (31 %) and 20 GPA (60 %) patients during the initial 3 weeks of treatment. After 6 months, remission was achieved in 66 MPA (85 %) and 29 GPA (87 %) patients, while GC remission was obtained in only 31 MPA (40 %) and 13 GPA (39 %) patients. During the 24-month period, 14 MPA patients and 2 GPA patients died; end stage renal disease (ESRD) was noted in 13 MPA patients but no GPA patients. Patients with severe disease, according to the European Vasculitis Study Group (EUVAS) classification, showed poorer ESRD-free and overall survival rates than those with generalized disease (p < 0.0001). There were no differences in relapse-free survival rates between GPA and MPA, among EUVAS-defined disease severity categories, and between anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody subspecialties.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of Japanese patients with MPA and GPA received treatment with high-dose GC and limited CY use, and showed high remission and relapse-free survival rates but low GC remission rates in clinical practice.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry UMIN000001648 . Registered 28 February 2009.

Retrospective analysis of factors predicting end-stage renal failure or death in patients with microscopic polyangiitis with mainly renal involvement

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for end-stage renal failure (ESRF) or death in Japanese patients with microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) with renal involvement.

METHODS

From 54 consecutive patients with systemic vasculitis based on Watt's algorithm, we retrospectively analyzed 39 MPA patients with renal involvement, including 19 (48.7 %) with renal-limited vasculitis.

RESULTS

Thirty-three of 39 patients (84.6 %) demonstrated rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, and 13 (33.3 %) developed ESRF; 8 of 13 required dialysis within 1 week. Thirteen (33.3 %) died during follow-up of more than 12 months, and 7 died during the first 6 months, mainly because of opportunistic infections. Overall survival at 6 and 12 months was 79.5 and 71.1 %, respectively. Serum creatinine levels did not differ significantly between survivors and non-survivors (P = 0.092). The mean Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score, version 3 (BVAS v.3), was 16.2 ± 6.5, with a renal subscore of over 12 points in 82.1 %, and BVAS v.3 was marginally higher in non-survivors than survivors (P = 0.045). An age- and sex-adjusted Cox proportional hazards analysis demonstrated that neither the serum creatinine level (P = 0.277) nor BVAS v.3 (P = 0.188) at initial diagnosis was a risk factor for overall survival. The baseline serum creatinine cutoff value for discriminating between ESRF and non-ESRF was 4.6 mg/dl, with a sensitivity and specificity of 92.3 and 84.6 %, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Survival rates do not relate to ESRF in MPA patients with mainly renal involvement. Although patients with ESRF required regular hemodialysis, longer survival can be achieved.

Clinical studies of the Research Committee on Intractable Vasculitides, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan

In Japan, the Research Committee on Intractable Vasculitides, supported by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, has been promoting basic and clinical research on vasculitis since 1972. The present Research Committee on Intractable Vasculitides comprises 4 subcommittees under the direction of a Principal Investigator: Basic and Pathological Research Subcommittee, Clinical Research Subcommittee of Small and Medium-sized Vessel Vasculitis, Clinical Research Subcommittee of Large-sized Vessel Vasculitis, and International Cooperation Research Subcommittee. Since 2008, 9 nationwide clinical studies for vasculitis have been conducted and 8 clinical and basic studies are in progress.

Long-term observations of clinicopathological characteristics and outcome of Japanese patients with pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis

BACKGROUND

The clinicopathological characteristics and outcome with pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis (CreGN) are presumed to vary over time. We examined the characteristics and outcome of Japanese patients with CreGN according to the treatment periods.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From 1968 to 2011, we examined a total of 102 patients diagnosed with pauci-immune CreGN by renal biopsy. The patients were divided into three groups according to the treatment periods-Group I (1968-1988, n = 18), Group II (1989-2001, n = 37; when the nationwide survey of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis [RPGN] was performed in Japan), and Group III (2002-2011, n = 47; after publication of the Japanese guideline for RPGN).

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in blood pressure, renal function or anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody titer between groups. On the other hand, the rate of crescent formation and degree of interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration were decreased in Group III. Serum creatinine (<3.0, 3.0-6.0, ≥6.0 mg/dL) and crescent formation (<30, 30-50, 50-80, ≥80 %) were significant renal prognostic factors in Group III [serum creatinine: hazard ratio (HR) 4.79, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.43-16.1, P = 0.011; crescent formation: HR 2.86, 95 % CI 1.06-7.73, P = 0.039]. Furthermore, renal survival rate of patients with crescent formation <50 % and patient survival rate of patients with serum creatinine <3 mg/dL were improved in Group III.

CONCLUSION

Patients with CreGN were diagnosed in the early phase of crescent formation and outcome has improved in recent years.

Maintenance of clinical remission in ANCA-associated vasculitis

A fundamental change in management of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis in the past 10 years is the early focussed use of aggressive immunosuppression, using regimens comprised of widely available medications. Using a clinical framework to quantify morbidity, we can induce remission in most patients within 3-6 months using glucocorticoids plus methotrexate, cyclophosphamide or rituximab, with additional plasmapheresis when indicated. Difficulty in maintaining remission probably relates to the difference between true pathophysiological remission and the absence of clinical, serological or radiological evidence of disease activity. For surviving patients, the cumulative problems of relapse, burden of disease, or its treatment are coupled with pre-existing diseases or new conditions arising since diagnosis. Initial early control should reduce subsequent damage, but what effect it will have on relapse is not clear. In the absence of a cure, future trials should focus on reducing toxicity and comorbidity as well as controlling disease.