A RECENT study has identified male gender and higher levels of complement component 3 (C3) as key factors associated with early clinical remission in patients with idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis (IRF). These findings offer valuable insights into tailoring treatment approaches for this rare autoimmune-mediated condition.
The study retrospectively analysed data from 91 IRF patients treated at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between 2013 and 2023. Over a median follow-up period of 2.63 years, 38 patients achieved remission within six months of starting treatment.
Multivariable analysis revealed that men were more than five times as likely to achieve early remission as women, and higher baseline C3 levels were significantly associated with shorter remission times. Patients with C3 levels of 1.144 g/L or higher showed a faster response to treatment compared to those with lower levels.
The researchers also developed a predictive nomogram model incorporating gender and C3 levels, which demonstrated a strong ability to forecast remission outcomes (AUC = 0.73).
“These findings provide a basis for more personalised treatment plans in IRF, improving the ability to predict and achieve early disease control,” the authors stated.
IRF is characterised by fibro-inflammatory tissue development around abdominal arteries and can lead to serious complications like ureteral obstruction and renal failure. By identifying key predictors of remission, this study highlights the potential to optimise therapeutic strategies and improve patient outcomes.
Aleksandra Zurowska, EMJ
Reference
Chao Y et al. Factors associated with early clinical remission in patients with idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis. Rheumatology. 2024; DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keae676.
