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Clinical Rheumatology

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01-03-2021 | Bisphosphonate | Original Article

The effectiveness of treatments for patients with SAPHO syndrome: a follow-up study of 24 cases from a single center and review of literature

Authors: Hong Huang, Zhuoli Zhang, Juan Zhao, Yanjie Hao, Wei Zhou

Published in: Clinical Rheumatology | Issue 3/2021

Abstract

Objectives

To evaluate the effectiveness of current treatments for SAPHO syndrome (synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis) by delineating the therapeutic choices and the outcome of patients in a medical center of China and review of the literature.

Method

An observational study was performed on patients diagnosed as SAPHO syndrome in the Peking University First Hospital from 2009 to 2015. Clinical data including osteoarticular and cutaneous manifestations, laboratory and medical imaging findings, treatments, and outcomes were analyzed retrospectively. A literature detailing the usage of medicines and SAPHO syndrome patient responses to treatment were selected.

Results

Clinical data of 24 patients were analyzed in this study. The mean age was 42.4 ± 15.5 years old at the time of diagnosis. Of a total of 17 patients that received the combination treatments of NSAIDs and DMARDs, 15 of them experienced an improvement in their symptoms. Bisphosphonates were given to 18 patients. Four patients were treated with TNF blockers, and one of them had adalimumab ineffective and then improved by add-on of DMARDs. The mean follow-up period was 2.5 years. Twenty-one patients (87.5%) had a favorable outcome and exhibited improved disease condition in the last follow-up.

Conclusions

The majority of patients with SAPHO syndrome respond well to combination therapy of NSAIDs, DMARDs, and bisphosphonates. TNF blockers are effective in a patient refractory to NSAID and DMARDs. However, in case TNF blockers are ineffective, add-on of DMARDs may be effective. Thus, the proper application of conventional DMARDs is still worth a position in the treatment of SAPHO syndrome.

Key Points

•NSAIDs and DMARDs and/or bisphosphonates can alleviate symptoms of the majority of patients with SAPHO syndrome.

•TNF blockers are effective in patients who do not respond well to NSIADs and DMARDs.

•In case TNF blockers are ineffective, add-on of conventional DMARDs may be effective.

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Title: The effectiveness of treatments for patients with SAPHO syndrome: a follow-up study of 24 cases from a single center and review of literature
Authors: Hong Huang
Zhuoli Zhang
Juan Zhao
Yanjie Hao
Wei Zhou
Publication date: 01-03-2021
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Keywords: Bisphosphonate
Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drug
Methotrexate
Methotrexate
Acne
Osteitis
Published in: Clinical Rheumatology / Issue 3/2021
Print ISSN: 0770-3198
Electronic ISSN: 1434-9949
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-020-05322-x

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The effectiveness of treatments for patients with SAPHO syndrome: a follow-up study of 24 cases from a single center and review of literature

Abstract

Objectives

Method

Results

Conclusions

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Abstract

Objectives

Method

Results

Conclusions

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