Long-term outcome of patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis treated with plasma exchange: a retrospective, single-centre study
Abstract
Background: Plasma exchange (PLEX) has been used routinely for treatment of severe renal vasculitis and/or alveolar haemorrhage (AH) in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV), but the long-term benefit of PLEX in AAV remains unclear. We aimed to describe the characteristics and outcomes of patients treated with PLEX in a single centre.
Methods: Patients with AAV were identified by performing a case review of medical records of 705 patients who received PLEX in a single tertiary referral centre between 2000 and 2010. Patient characteristics and outcomes were recorded.
The Kaplan-Meier method, log-rank tests and Cox regression analysis were used for survival analyses. Conclusions: The mortality of patients presenting with severe manifestations of AAV remains high despite the use of PLEX.
Older age at presentation is associated with worse overall and renal prognosis.