Abstract
Introduction: Anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antibody encephalitis is an increasingly recognized form of autoimmune encephalitis. Conventional treatments include therapies such as corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), and/or therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE). Although TPE is regularly used for treatment of anti-NMDA receptor antibody encephalitis, the American Society for Apheresis has given it a category III recommendation only. Earlier administered immunotherapies in tumor-negative patients may facilitate faster recoveries, but it remains unclear whether or not TPE is superior to steroids and/or IVIG. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 10 of 14 patients that received steroids and TPE with modified Rankin scores and subjectively assessed the point of largest sustained improvement in all 14 patients. Results: In the patients that received both steroids and TPE at our institution during the same hospitalization (only 10 of 14 patients), 7/10 patients after TPE had improved with the modified Rankin score versus 3/10 patients after steroids. The average modified Rankin score improvement after steroids in this group was -0.1 as compared with 0.4 after TPE. Based on subjective chart review analysis during which all 14 patients were assessed, the largest sustained improvement occurred immediately following the third-fifth exchange in 9/14 patients, whereas only 2/14 patients appeared to have had significant benefit immediately following steroids. Conclusions: This is compelling preliminary data that suggests that corticosteroids may not be as effective compared to steroids followed by TPE. Given the importance of time-sensitive treatment, more formal studies may illuminate the ideal first-line treatment for anti-NMDA receptor antibody encephalitis.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 212-216 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Journal of Clinical Apheresis |
Volume | 30 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Aug 1 2015 |
Keywords
- NMDA encephalitis
- apheresis
- plasma exchange
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Hematology