Eosinophilic fasciitis - Treatment

Treatment:

Treatment with corticosteroids and other immune-suppressing medications relieves symptoms, especially when started early in the disease. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may also help relieve symptoms.

If blood diseases develop, they are treated based on their type.

Expectations (prognosis):

In most cases, the condition goes away within 3 to 5 years. However, symptoms may return (recur) or persist. The outlook is much worse if blood diseases occur.

Complications:

Arthritis is a rare complication of eosinophilic fasciitis. Some patients may develop very serious blood disorders or blood-related cancers, such as aplastic anemia or leukemia.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider for an appointment if you have symptoms of this disorder.

Superficial anterior muscles

Reviewed last on: 2/7/2011
Michael E. Makover, MD, professor and attending in Rheumatology at the New York University Medical Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Harris ED. Budd RC, Genovese MC, Firestein GS, Sargent JS, Sledge CB. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 7th ed. St Louis, MO: WB Saunders;2005:1302-1303.

Eosinophil count - absolute

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