title: The great mimicker: IgG4-related disease.
abstract: IgG4-related disease is defined as a multi-organ systemic disorder with pathological findings affecting a wide range of organ systems. The condition unifies a large number of clinical diagnoses previously considered as being confined to single organ systems. At present, several issues related to its pathophysiology remained controversial, including the natural history of the disease, the pathogenic role of IgG4, and its use as a biomarker. Glucocorticoids are considered the treatment of choice for remission induction of IgG4-related disease manifestations; however, concerns regarding duration of therapy and management of refractory disease remained to be elucidated.
authors.affiliation: Section of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, LSU Health Sciences Center, 1542 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70112-2822, USA. rpere2@lsuhsc.edu
authors.forename: Rodolfo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Perez Alamino
authors.forename: Luis R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Espinoza
authors.forename: Arnold H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Zea
mesh_terms: D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology*; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012074:Remission Induction; D000069283:Rituximab; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D016207:Cytokines; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D000069283:Rituximab