Pulsed high-dose dexamethasone in chronic autoimmune haemolytic anaemia of warm type.
The management of patients with autoimmune haemolytic anaemia of warm type (AIHA) is often problematic. Recently, pulsed high-dose dexamethasone (HDD) has been shown to be effective in the treatment of autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura (AITP). In this study we treated seven patients with AIHA with HDD. The regimen recommended for treatment of refractory AITP (40 mg dexamethasone for 4 d at the beginning of each 28 d cycle) was employed in almost all cases. Prior to dexamethasone administration, haemolysis was decompensated in all seven patients. HDD was well tolerated and led to an improvement of haemolysis in all cases.
Meyer
O
O
Blutbank, Virchow-Klinikum Medizinsche Fakultät der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany.
Stahl
D
D
Beckhove
P
P
Huhn
D
D
Salama
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000744:Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D003907:Dexamethasone