Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40517360›Full record

ArticleRheumatology and therapy2025

Safety of Accelerated Rituximab Infusion in Rheumatic Diseases: A Systematic Review.

Jozélio Freire de Carvalho, Samuel de Oliveira Andrade, Ana Tereza Amoedo Martinez, Thelma Skare, Simone Appenzeller

Abstract readEditorial
In one paragraph

Article in Rheumatology and therapy, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Jozélio Freire de CarvalhoNúcleo de Pesquisa em Doenças Crônicas não Transmissíveis (NUPEC), School of Nutrition, Federal University of Bahia, Basílio da Gama, 200, Canela, Salvador, BA, 40110-040, Brazil. jotafc@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7957-0844
Samuel de Oliveira AndradeMedical Pathophysiology Program, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7222-9953
Ana Tereza Amoedo MartinezNovaclin, Grupo CITA, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
Thelma SkareServiço de Reumatologia, Hospital Universitário Evangélico Mackenzie, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
Simone AppenzellerDepartment of Orthopedics, Rheumatology and Traumatology, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5075-4474

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveTo systematically evaluate the safety and feasibility of rapid rituximab (RTX) infusion protocols in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases.

methodsA comprehensive literature review was conducted using PubMed, LILACS, and Scielo databases from 1965 to May 2024 without language restrictions. Studies reporting infusion reactions associated with accelerated RTX protocols (infusion over 90 to 120 min) in rheumatologic conditions were included. Infusion-related adverse events were assessed and graded according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (Grades 1-5). Key variables extracted included patient demographics, underlying diseases, RTX dosage, use of premedication, number of infusions, and frequency and severity of infusion reactions.

resultsSeven studies encompassing 538 patients aged 14-78 years were included. The patient cohort covered a spectrum of autoimmune rheumatic conditions, including systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic vasculitis, Sjögren's syndrome, systemic sclerosis, IgG4-related disease, and anti-synthetase syndrome. All studies implemented rapid RTX infusion protocols exclusively for the second and subsequent doses. Premedication with acetaminophen, diphenhydramine, and corticosteroids was routine in most studies. RTX dosage varied between 375 mg/m

conclusionRapid infusion of RTX in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases appears to be a safe and efficient alternative to standard infusion protocols. The frequency and severity of infusion reactions were comparable to traditional infusion rates, with the added benefit of reduced clinic time. These findings support the broader implementation of rapid infusion protocols in rheumatology. However, larger prospective studies with standardized reporting of adverse events are necessary to validate these results and explore the feasibility of even shorter infusion durations, as seen in oncology.

Indexed as

Biological therapyInfusion reactionRapid infusionRheumatic diseasesRituximab

Identifiers

PMID40517360
PMCPMC12246283

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.