title: Successful leukocytapheresis therapy in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis on maintenance hemodialysis.
abstract: We report the case of a 44-year-old female undergoing maintenance hemodialysis in whom early-phase rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was successfully treated by leukocytapheresis (LCAP). The effects of prednisone, tacrolimus, and etanercept were limited, but LCAP was highly effective and its efficacy continued even after cessation of LCAP. Moreover, remission was maintained for 2 years after discontinuation of medication. LCAP may be an important treatment option for RA patients with end-stage renal failure who are on hemodialysis.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine I, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University , Oita , Japan.
authors: Keisuke
authors: K
authors: Maeshima
authors: Masataka
authors: M
authors: Torigoe
authors: Mikako
authors: M
authors: Iwakura
authors: Kunitoshi
authors: K
authors: Yamanaka
authors: Koji
authors: K
authors: Ishii
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007937:Leukapheresis; D008875:Middle Aged; D012074:Remission Induction; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Drug-free remission; Hemodialysis; Leukocytapheresis (LCAP); Rheumatoid arthritis