A comparative effectiveness research of azathioprine and cyclophosphamide on the clinical and serological response in pemphigus vulgaris
Context: A prospective study was carried out to examine the efficacy of cyclophosphamide and azathioprine in pemphigus vulgaris. Aims: To compare the clinical and serological effect of azathioprine and cyclophosphamide in pemphigus patients. Materials and Methods: Prospective, institutional based st...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2016-01-01
|
| Series: | Indian Journal of Dermatology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.e-ijd.org/article.asp?issn=0019-5154;year=2016;volume=61;issue=4;spage=418;epage=426;aulast=Sardana |
| Summary: | Context: A prospective study was carried out to examine the efficacy of cyclophosphamide and azathioprine in pemphigus vulgaris. Aims: To compare the clinical and serological effect of azathioprine and cyclophosphamide in pemphigus patients. Materials and Methods: Prospective, institutional based study was conducted twenty-one patients of pemphigus vulgaris were initiated on either azathioprine (n = 9) or cyclophosphamide (n = 7) in addition to prednisolone and were evaluated clinically (mucosal and cutaneous severity) and serologically enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at 0, 3 and 6 months. Results: Azathioprine had a slower onset of action with a statistically significant improvement seen by 6 months (P = 0.016). Cyclophosphamide had a faster onset of action (3 months) though there was no statistical difference in the efficacy between the two at the end of 6 months. The (RonT) was 33.3-44.4% for azathioprine and 28.8-42.9% for cyclophosphamide at 6 months. Though ELISA had a high sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis, as a tool for assessing therapeutic response a significant decrease was seen only till 3 months. This was restricted to Dsg1 for the azathioprine group and both Dsg3 and Dsg1 levels for the cyclophosphamide group. There were two deaths, both in the cyclophosphamide group. Conclusions: Azathiorpine and cyclophosphamide are equally effective for mucosal and cutaneous disease in pemphigus after 6 months of therapy. Dsg ELISA is useful for diagnosis of pemphigus but is not a useful tool for monitoring response to therapy. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 0019-5154 1998-3611 |