Abstract

Background: Recurrent pericarditis affects 15-30% of patients with acute pericarditis. The etiology is poorly understood, with about 80% being idiopathic. Several treatment options are available for recurrences, including NSAIDs, colchicine, glucocorticoids and IL-1 inhibitors (i.e. Anakinra). Standardized guidelines for the management of these patients are still lacking Objectives: To analyze clinical findings and treatment approach in a cohort of pediatric patients with recurrent pericarditis Methods: Patients with at least two episodes of idiopathic pericarditis, followed at two Pediatric Rheumatology centers between 2006 and 2018, were included Results: A total of 42 patients (18 males) were included. Mean age at disease onset was 11.8 years (range 4-17). Chest pain and fever were the presenting symptoms in all patients. In 47% pleural effusion was detected. Laboratory tests showed increased white blood cell count (mean 14.509/mm3), C-reactive protein (mean 18.01 mg/dl) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (mean 39 mm/h) in all patients. The first episode was variably treated: 18/42 (43%) received NSAIDs alone, 5/42 (11.9%), colchicine alone or associated to NSAIDs and 3/42 patients (7%) received antibiotics alone. 16/42 (38%), not responsive to NSAIDs or colchicine, received glucocorticoides. Patients who received glucocorticoids at the first episode relapsed earlier (median time of 2.1 months range 10 days-5 months), than patients treated with NSAIDs (6.6 months range 10 days -24 months) or with colchicine (5 months range 10 days-5 months) (p Conclusion: Our study confirms the lack of a standardized treatment approach in patients with recurrent pericarditis. Patients treated with glucocorticoid at first episode relapse before than those treated with other drugs. Anakinra is an effective treatment; however, tapering/discontinuation of the drug lead to relapses in several cases. Further experience on larger population is needed to define the best treatment duration and approach to withdrawal of IL-1 inhibitor Disclosure of Interests: Camilla Celani: None declared, Silvia Federici: None declared, Anna Tulone: None declared, Brigitte Bader-Meunier: None declared, Virginia Messia: None declared, Manuela Pardeo: None declared, Claudia Bracaglia: None declared, Pierre Quartier Consultant for: AbbVie, Chugai-Roche, lilly, Novartis, Novimmune, Sanofi, and SOBI, Consultant for: AbbVie, Chugai-Roche, Lilly, Novartis, Novimmune, Sanofi, and SOBI, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, BMS, Chugai-Roche, Novartis, Pfizer, and SOBI, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, BMS, Chugai-Roche, Novartis, Pfizer, and SOBI, Fabrizio De Benedetti Grant/research support from: Abbvie, SOBI, Novimmune, Roche, Novartis, Sanofi, Pfizer, Antonella Insalaco: None declared

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