ABSTRACT
Purpose: To report low-dose rituximab effect in Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) resistant to conventional treatment.
Methods: Retrospective analysis of medical records, filled in according to the European Group on Graves’ Orbitopathy (EUGOGO) standards, of patients with active moderate-to-severe GO who received low-dose rituximab after failure of conventional treatment. Efficacy was defined by a decrease of the clinical activity score of 2 points or <4/10.
Results: Among 219 patients treated between 2012 and 2016 by pulse methylprednisolone, possibly followed by oral steroids and/or orbital radiotherapy, 15 (6.8%) finally received 100 mg rituximab doses (cumulative dose, 100–400 mg) owing to persistent active disease. Rituximab showed efficacy within 2 months in 13 of 15 (87%), stable at 1 year. No significant effect was observed on proptosis, lid fissure width, and eye motility.
Conclusion: Low-dose rituximab showed sustained anti-inflammatory effect in most patients with active GO resistant to conventional treatment.
DECLARATION OF INTEREST
The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.