Thalidomide neurotoxicity: prospective study in patients with lupus erythematosus

Neurology. 2004 Jun 22;62(12):2288-90. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000130499.91775.2c.

Abstract

The authors prospectively followed 14 patients treated with thalidomide for cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE), in order to evaluate the occurrence of peripheral neuropathy (PN) and to assess whether PN correlates with thalidomide dose. The patients were followed for up to 24 months with neurologic and electrophysiologic evaluations. Seven patients (50%) developed sensory axonal PN. The median time free from PN was 14 months. PN occurred after 10 months in the majority of patients. No correlations were found between thalidomide cumulative dose and occurrence of PN (Mann-Whitney U test; p > 0.16).

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Electrophysiology
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / administration & dosage
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous / drug therapy*
  • Middle Aged
  • Neurotoxicity Syndromes / diagnosis
  • Neurotoxicity Syndromes / etiology*
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / diagnosis
  • Prospective Studies
  • Thalidomide / administration & dosage
  • Thalidomide / adverse effects*
  • Thalidomide / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Thalidomide