1. The efficacy and safety of systemic corticosteroids as first line treatment for granulomatous lymphocytic interstitial lung disease
- Author
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Bas Smits, Sigune Goldacker, Suranjith Seneviratne, Marion Malphettes, Hilary Longhurst, Omar E. Mohamed, Carla Witt-Rautenberg, Lucy Leeman, Eva Schwaneck, Isabelle Raymond, Kilifa Meghit, Annette Uhlmann, Christine Winterhalter, Joris van Montfrans, Marion Klima, Sarita Workman, Claire Fieschi, Lorena Lorenzo, Sonja Boyle, Shamin Onyango-Odera, Suzanne Price, Marc Schmalzing, Valerie Aurillac, Antje Prasse, Ieneke Hartmann, Jennifer J. Meerburg, Mariette Kemner-van de Corput, Harm Tiddens, Bodo Grimbacher, Peter Kelleher, Smita Y. Patel, Anne-Sophie Korganow, Jean-Francois Viallard, Hans-Peter Tony, Claire Bethune, Hendrik Schulze-Koops, Torsten Witte, Aarnoud Huissoon, Helen Baxendale, Sofia Grigoriadou, Eric Oksenhendler, Siobhan O. Burns, Klaus Warnatz, Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, and Pediatrics
- Subjects
Immunology ,Immunology and Allergy - Abstract
Background: Granulomatous and lymphocytic interstitial lung disease (gl-ILD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among patients with common variable immunodeficiency. Corticosteroids are recommended as first-line treatment for gl-ILD, but evidence for their efficacy is lacking. Objectives: This study analyzed the effect of high-dose corticosteroids (≥0.3 mg/kg prednisone equivalent) on gl-ILD, measured by high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans, and pulmonary function test (PFT) results. Methods: Patients who had received high-dose corticosteroids but no other immunosuppressive therapy at the time (n = 56) and who underwent repeated HRCT scanning or PFT (n = 39) during the retrospective and/or prospective phase of the Study of Interstitial Lung Disease in Primary Antibody Deficiency (STILPAD) were included in the analysis. Patients without any immunosuppressive treatment were selected as controls (n = 23). HRCT scans were blinded, randomized, and scored using the Hartman score. Differences between the baseline and follow-up HRCT scans and PFT were analyzed. Results: Treatment with high-dose corticosteroids significantly improved HRCT scores and forced vital capacity. Carbon monoxide diffusion capacity significantly improved in both groups. Of 18 patients, for whom extended follow-up data was available, 13 achieved a long-term, maintenance therapy independent remission. All patients with relapse were retreated with corticosteroids, but only one-fifth of them responded. Two opportunistic infections were found in the corticosteroid treatment group, while overall infection rate was similar between cohorts. Conclusions: Induction therapy with high-dose corticosteroids improved HRCT scans and PFT results of patients with gl-ILD and achieved long-term remission in 42% of patients. It was not associated with major side effects. Low-dose maintenance therapy provided no benefit and efficacy was poor in relapsing disease.
- Published
- 2022