Idiopathic recurrent pericarditis in real-world clinical practice
https://doi.org/10.15829/1560-4071-2025-6582
EDN: HNRTGD
Abstract
Introduction. Idiopathic recurrent pericarditis (IRP) is a rare inflammatory disease that manifests with acute pericarditis, followed by an asymptomatic period of 4-6 weeks or more, after which the disease relapses. The etiology of pericarditis cannot be determined in the vast majority of cases. Unfortunately, in real-world practice, physicians have no apprehensive attitude to IRP and patients with acute pericarditis are not followed up. Consequently, IRP is often diagnosed late, as demonstrated by the presented case.
Brief description. We describe a case of a 49-year-old female patient with recurrent pericarditis of unknown etiology, associated with arthralgia and skin manifestations. The first episode was characterized by pericardial effusion, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein, and resistance to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Remission was achieved with colchicine therapy, but it relapsed after 5 months and was treated with glucocorticoids.
Conclusion. This case of IRP shows the complexities of differential diagnosis and demonstrates the importance of timely treatment.
About the Authors
N. Yu. Grigoryeva
Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod
Russian Federation
Competing Interests:
Russian Federation
Gagarin Avenue, 23, bld. 2, Nizhny Novgorod
Competing Interests:
None
O. E. Vilkova
Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod
Russian Federation
Competing Interests:
Russian Federation
Gagarin Avenue, 23, bld. 2, Nizhny Novgorod
Competing Interests:
None
K. S. Kolosova
Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod
Russian Federation
Competing Interests:
Russian Federation
Gagarin Avenue, 23, bld. 2, Nizhny Novgorod
Competing Interests:
None
E. M. Yashina
Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod
Russian Federation
Competing Interests:
Russian Federation
Gagarin Avenue, 23, bld. 2, Nizhny Novgorod
Competing Interests:
None
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- Idiopathic recurrent pericarditis (IRP) is a rare auto-inflammatory pericardial disease.
- A characteristic feature of IRP is that acute pericarditis is followed by a relapse with clinical symptoms similar to those of acute pericarditis, but with a subtle performance, making its diagnosis difficult.
- A case of a 49-year-old female patient with recurrent pericarditis of unknown etiology is presented. Symptoms included pericardial effusion, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein, resistance to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and a relapse after 5 months while taking colchicine. The relapse was successfully treated with glucocorticoids.
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For citations:
Grigoryeva N.Yu., Vilkova O.E., Kolosova K.S., Yashina E.M. Idiopathic recurrent pericarditis in real-world clinical practice. Russian Journal of Cardiology. 2025;30(3S):6582. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.15829/1560-4071-2025-6582. EDN: HNRTGD
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