title: [Evidence-based Treatment for Vasculitic Neuropathies].
abstract: Vasculitic neuropathies are caused by ischemic damage due to vessel wall inflammation. This damage may cause axonal degeneration leading to permanent neurological disabilities. Therefore, early initiation of effective treatment is crucial. For primary systemic vasculitis, a combined treatment of corticosteroid and immunosuppressive agents is recommended in the evidence-based guidelines as initial standard therapy for induction of remission. However, limited data are available regarding therapies for vasculitic neuropathies and it remains unclear whether combined treatment should be employed as an initial therapy for all patients with vasculitic neuropathies. In approximately half the patients with vasculitic neuropathies, monotherapy with corticosteroids is insufficient in preventing long-lasting neurological disabilities. Addition of intravenous immunoglobulin at an early stage of the disease may be a promising treatment option obviating the need for potent but potentially harmful immunosuppressive agents in some mild or localized cases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Clinical Neuroscience, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Michiaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koga
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D006801:Humans; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*