Glucocorticoid tapering pace in microscopic polyangiitis and granulomatosis with polyangiitis in Japanese real-world practice: A propensity score-matched retrospective cohort study from the J-CANVAS registry.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prevalence and outcomes among regimens of glucocorticoid tapering for microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) in real-world practice.

METHODS

We retrospectively examined the Japan Collaborative Registry of Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies-associated Vasculitis (J-CANVAS) registry, and evaluated the prevalence of glucocorticoid tapering regimens in the PEXIVAS trial. In patients with newly diagnosed MPA and GPA, we compared outcomes among standard and reduced pace regimens. Relapse-free survival rates were compared after propensity score matching.

RESULTS

Of 364 eligible patients, 113 (31.0%) received standard tapering and 251 slower tapering. After matching, 87 pairs no significant difference was observed in relapse-free survival (P = .506). Regarding the reduced regimen, there were so few patients (14/364, 3.8%) that statistical analysis was not performed.

CONCLUSIONS

The glucocorticoid tapering for MPA and GPA in Japanese real-world practice was found to be generally slower than the standard regimen revealing a huge evidence-practice gap. Additionally, slower tapering did not improve relapse-free survival and might cause unnecessary glucocorticoid exposure.