Therapeutic apheresis for rheumatic diseases
Yamaji, K.
Nihon Rinsho. Japanese Journal of Clinical Medicine 67(3): 606-611
2009
ISSN/ISBN: 0047-1852 PMID: 19280940 Document Number: 630187
The main stream of treatment for rheumatic disease is pharmacotherapy. Corticosteroids, DMARDs, the immunosuppressive agents and biologics are the gold standard of the treatment. However, some cases showing resistance to these treatments exist, and the potential for side effects exists in all of these pharmacotherapies. Furthermore, there are cases in which pharmacotherapy cannot be effectively used due to organ derangement. Apheresis is totally different from pharmacotherapy as a concept, and it is a treatment to control disease activity by removing the factors which contribute to the pathogenicity. The synchronized therapy of apheresis and pharmacotherapy is the treatment that may result in a more beneficial effect of treatment. This review introduces the experiences as an overall approach to better, safer management for rheumatic diseases.