IngentaConnect Treatment of severe scleroderma skin ulcers with recombinant huma...

In this: publication
By this: publisher
In this Subject: Dermatology
By this author: Ferri, C. ;&nbsp; Giuggioli, D. ;&nbsp; Sebastiani, M. ;&nbsp; Colaci, M.

Authors: Ferri, C.; Giuggioli, D.; Sebastiani, M.; Colaci, M.

Source: Clinical & Experimental Dermatology, Volume 32, Number 3, May 2007 , pp. 287-290(4)

Purchase options

The full text electronic article is available for purchase. You will be able to download the full text electronic article after payment.

$47.44 plus tax Refund Policy

Abstract:

Summary

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is frequently complicated by skin ulcers, often unresponsive to traditional treatments. A preliminary evaluation of the effects of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) was carried out in 14 patients with SSc with nonhealing, severe cutaneous ulcers. Patients received rHuEPO subcutaneously at a dosage of 150 IU/kg 3 times weekly for 2 weeks, twice weekly for the next 2 weeks, and then once weekly for 1 month. At follow-up 3-6 months from the beginning of the treatment, six patients showed complete resolution of the skin ulcers, while a significant reduction (> 60%) in lesional areas was obtained in the other eight patients (mean ± SD ulcer area reduced from 27.6 ± 28 to 5.3 ± 7.8 cm²; P < 0.005). Moreover, patients' quality of life significantly improved (pain, as measured on visual analogue scale reduced from 96 ± 5 to 46 ± 17 points; P = 0.0001; disability as measured by the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index reduced from 1.6 ± 0.5 to 0.9 ± 0.4 points; P = 0.0001). The rHuEPO may represent a novel treatment of nonhealing scleroderma skin ulcers, suggesting some important aetiopathological implications.

Treatment of severe scleroderma skin ulcers with recombinant human erythropoietin