Systematic review of the efficacy of rituximab in the management of central nervous system involvement among adults with Sjögren’s disease
摘要
Sjögren’s disease is an autoimmune condition that may have neurological involvement. Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody against CD20 that has shown potential in the management of central and peripheral neuropathy in lymphomas and some autoimmune disease. There is limited data on the efficacy of rituximab on central nervous system (CNS) involvement in Sjögren’s disease. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the effects of rituximab on CNS involvement among adults with Sjögren’s disease.
Materials and methodsThe PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science medical databases were searched and the related articles were included in the review based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. All articles published in English language that reported the effect of rituximab in the management of CNS involvement in Sjögren’s disease were included and reviewed.
ResultsOf the primary retrieved 173 articles, three (N = 62) were included in the review. All the studies were cohort studies and reported the effects of rituximab on CNS involvement as secondary analysis. Rituximab was administered in combination of other medications. Data synthesis revealed that rituximab, especially in combination with other medications, might have beneficial effects in severe and refractory CNS involvement in Sjögren’s disease.
ConclusionsRituximab administration should be limited to severe and refractory CNS involvements in Sjögren’s disease. However, due to the scarcity of articles and low level of confidence, further studies should be conducted to reach a definite conclusion.