Incidence of serious infections in patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis receiving immunosuppressive therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Rituximab and azathioprine are used to induce or maintain remission in patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). We evaluated the incidence of serious infections and infection-related deaths in patients with AAV treated with rituximab and azathioprine, during the maintenance of remission period.

Methods

We searched PubMed and EMBASE for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and observational studies evaluating immunosuppressive agents in patients with AAV. We defined serious or severe infections according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 5.0. The study was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022366269).

Results

From 1,265 abstracts, we identified 21 studies (7 RCTs and 14 observational), with relev

SUBMITTER: Vassilopoulos A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10014619 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature