Evaluation of the efficacy of granulocyte and monocyte adsorption apheresis on skin manifestation and joint symptoms of patients with pustulotic arthro‐osteitis

Abstract

Pustulotic arthro‐osteitis, occasionally complicated with palmoplantar pustulosis, affects patients' activities of daily living. Granulocyte and monocyte adsorption apheresis selectively removes activated granulocytes and monocytes by means of extracorporeal circulation. Although the efficacy of granulocyte and monocyte adsorption apheresis in the treatment of generalized pustular psoriasis has been proved, very few reports have assessed its efficacy in the treatment of palmoplantar pustulosis and pustulotic arthro‐osteitis. Ten pustulotic arthro‐osteitis patients with five palmoplantar skin manifestations were treated with weekly granulocyte and monocyte adsorption apheresis over 5 weeks. Skin manifestations were assessed using palmoplantar pustulosis area and severity index, and joint symptoms were assessed using a visual analog scale of joint pain, tender joint count, swollen joint count and C‐reactive protein immediately before, after and at the 3‐month follow up of the five granulocyte and monocyte adsorption apheresis sessions. Two out of five patients with skin manifestations achieved more than 50% improvement in their score (remarkably improved). However, in two patients, deterioration was noted, in one of whom the skin manifestations remained unchanged at the 3‐month follow up. In five out of the 10 patients, the joint symptoms were assessed as better than improved at the 3‐month follow up. No deterioration was noted at the 3‐month follow up. In three patients, reduction or cessation of medication for arthralgia was possible. We concluded that granulocyte and monocyte adsorption apheresis is a therapeutic option to consider when pustulotic arthro‐osteitis is recalcitrant to conventional therapy.

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