P17 | Long-term outcome in patients with recurrent pericarditis: preliminary results of an observational study

P. Bindi¹, F. Agozzino¹, E. Ceriani², A. Pavarani¹, S. Berra¹, F. Moda¹, S. Macchi¹, L. Vena¹, A. Brucato¹ | ¹Ospedale Fatebenefratelli di Milano, ²Ospedale Sacco, Milano, Italy

Background and Aims of the study: Recurrent pericarditis (RP) presents therapeutic and prognostic challenges. In this study we aimed to describe, in patients referred to our outpatient clinic for RP, the disease duration, the cases of prolonged remission (>6 months) without therapy, and the cases in which immunomodulatory treatments could be discontinued. Additionally, we sought to identify risk factors associated with an unfavourable disease course.
Materials and Methods: This observational study included 122 patients with idiopathic or post-pericardiotomy RP, attending the Pericarditis Centre at Fatebenefratelli-Sacco Hospital. Data about the characteristics of the initial episode, recurrences, pharmacological transitions, timing of drug discontinuation and ongoing therapies at follow-up were recorded.
Results: With a median follow-up of 4.8 years, the median disease duration was 3.6 (2.4-6.8) years, and the remission rate was 38.5%. Immunomodulatory therapy could be discontinued in 55 out of 97 patients (56.7%). The use of NSAIDs and colchicine at the first episode was associated with a shorter disease duration, while age, female gender, and the use of corticosteroids or biologics during disease course correlated with a lower remission rate.
Conclusions: RP generally has a benign prognosis and remission is possible. Adherence to guidelines since the first episode is associated with a shorter disease duration; conversely, the use of immunomodulators, likely reserved for more severe cases, correlates with a longer course.