Oral azathioprine for recalcitrant pediatric atopic dermatitis: Clinical response and thiopurine monitoring - 14/12/12
Abstract |
Background |
Azathioprine is prescribed as a corticosteroid-sparing agent for many inflammatory conditions, including refractory atopic dermatitis (AD). There are limited prospective data on its appropriate use and monitoring for children with AD.
Objectives |
This study was designed to assess clinical response to azathioprine, determine the necessity for repeated measurement of thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) activity during treatment, and test the utility of measuring levels of the metabolites 6-thioguanine nucleotide and 6-methylmercaptopurine.
Methods |
Twelve children with severe, recalcitrant AD were treated with oral azathioprine and followed prospectively. Disease severity was determined by the SCORing AD index. Baseline TPMT activity was measured and this was repeated along with 6-thioguanine nucleotide and 6-methylmercaptopurine measurement at times of stable improvement, inadequate response, or change in response.
Results |
Azathioprine therapy was associated with clinical improvement in all but 1 patient. There were few adverse effects. Three patients showed a significant change in TPMT activity during treatment: 2 had a mild decrease and 1 demonstrated enzyme inducibility with an increase from the intermediate to the normal activity range. These changes, but not 6-thioguanine nucleotide or 6-methylmercaptopurine levels, inversely correlated with the clinical response to therapy.
Limitations |
Small sample size is a limitation.
Conclusions |
Azathioprine can be of benefit in the treatment of recalcitrant pediatric AD. Repeat assessment of TPMT activity may be helpful for evaluation of nonresponse or change in response and warrants further study. In contrast, measurement of thiopurine metabolites during treatment was not clinically useful.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Key words : atopic dermatitis, azathioprine, eczema, monitoring, pediatric, thiopurine metabolites, thiopurine methyltransferase
Abbreviations used : AD, MMP, RBC, SCORAD, TGN, TPMT
Plan
Dr Tom is supported by a National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases research career development grant (K23AR060274). |
|
The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases or the National Institutes of Health. |
|
Conflicts of interest: None declared. |
Vol 68 - N° 1
P. 29-35 - janvier 2013 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
L’accès au texte intégral de cet article nécessite un abonnement.
Déjà abonné à cette revue ?