Pediatric Recurrent Pericarditis: Appropriateness of the Standard of Care and Response to IL-1 Blockade

To analyze, in a cohort of pediatric patients with recurrent pericarditis undergoing anti-interleukin (IL)-1 treatment: the agent and dosing used as first-line treatment, the long-term efficacy of IL-1 blockers, the percentage of patients achieving a drug-free remission, and the presence of variables associated with drug-free remission. Data were collected from patients’ charts. The annualized relapse rate (ARR) was used for evaluation of treatment efficacy, and bivariate logistic regression analysis was used for variables associated with drug-free remission. Fifty-eight patients, treated between 2008 and 2018, were included in the study (mean follow-up. 2.6 years). Of the 56 patients treated with first-line drugs, 14 not responsive patients were underdosed. Fifty-seven patients were treated with anakinra: the ARR before and during daily treatment was 3.05 and 0.28, respectively (P