Peter Rutherford
Vifor Pharma, Switzerland
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Kidney
ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) is a major challenge for nephrologists due to acute kidney injury and progressive renal disease. It is a relapsing remitting disease with relapses occurring in 5-10% patients/year. This study examined presenting illness, clinical outcomes and treatment adverse events (AEs) at baseline, one, three, six and 12 months following relapse of AAV. A retrospective clinical audit of 1197 patients in four European countries included 268 with acute relapse. Mean age was 58.3 years (�13.2 SD), 60% male and more granulomatosis with polyangiitis and proteinase 3 positivity (54.1%). Renal relapse was common (73%) as was hematuria (59%). Only 16.0% patients had no comorbidity and 7.1% had experienced a previous steroid AE when initiated with induction therapy time of the relapse response to induction treatment was variable. Among patients seen at one month, only 18.5% had a full response (no vasculitis activity and steroid taper on track), 71% had a partial response only, and 10% were refractory to treatment. Early response was predictive of full response at 12 months (81% of month one full responder???s vs 49% of month one partial responders). Treatment AEs were common particularly early in relapse (54.3% of patients seen at one month), as was infection (53.4% of patients seen at one month). AAV relapse often has renal involvement, and AEs and infection add to cumulative organ damage in these patients. Response to treatment is variable but early responders are more likely to be in remission still at 12 months. New therapy advances should focus on improved efficacy and lower AE burden.
Peter Rutherford qualified in Medicine from Newcastle University, UK, completed Nephrology Training in the UK and at the Yale School of Medicine, USA, and has obtained his PhD in 1994. Following 11 years as Senior Lecturer in Nephrology and as Consultant Physician, he moved to Pharma in 2007 and is now Global Medical Lead for Rare Renal Diseases at Vifor Pharma. He has over 70 peer reviewed publications and has a particular research interest in patient education and decision making.
E-mail: peter.rutherford@viforpharma.com
