Use of eculizumab in atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome associated with impaired renal function: integrative review

Abstract

Introduction: Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome is a rare and serious disease that is defined by nonimmune microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia and acute renal failure. Objective: To identify information available in the literature about the use of eculizumab in the treatment of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome with impaired renal function. Material and methods: This is an integrative review carried out in the following databases: Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences and Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online. The study was guided by the following question: What is there in the literature about the use of eculizumab in the treatment of atypical HUS with impaired renal function? Three descriptors were used to search for articles in Portuguese, English and Spanish. The time frame was from 2007 to 2017. Results: Ten articles were initially located, and seven of them were selected after the inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. Ten articles were initially located, and seven of them were selected after the inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. All articles report an improvement in renal function early in therapy and there isn’t consensus regarding the indication of discontinuation of eculizumab in these patients, even in cases where there was complete remission of the condition. Conclusion: There are still few studies on the use of eculizumab. Studies of this nature have a relevant contribution to the advancement of therapy in rare cases, such as SHUa, since the use of antibody may increase survival and improve the quality of life of people affected by the disease