NSAIDS Like Advil Reduce Flares in PANS

A retrospective study published September 2017 demonstrates that for  Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal infections (PANDAS), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) can reduce the length of flares. (Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology)

These conditions are characterized by the sudden onset of severe obsessive-compulsive symptoms and/or eating restriction along with at least two coinciding neuropsychiatric symptoms.

The research suggests that for PANS and PANDAS, for both initial flares and relapses, NSAIDs are associated with shorter neuropsychiatric symptom duration when given early in disease flare or as a prevention  prophylactically). Examples of the types of medication: naproxen, ibuprofen,  sulindac, and celecoxib.

From the study abstract: “NSAID use was associated with a significantly shorter flare duration. Flares not treated with NSAIDs had a mean duration of approximately 12.2 weeks. Flares that occurred while the child was on NSAID maintenance therapy were approximately 4 weeks shorter than flares not managed with NSAIDs. “Flares treated with NSAIDs within 30 days of flare onset were approximately 2.6 weeks shorter than flares not managed with NSAIDs.

“Flares treated prophylactically and those treated early with NSAIDs did not differ in duration. Among the flares that received NSAID treatment within the first 30 days, earlier intervention was modestly associated with shorter flare durations.”

The full journal report is available (11.2.17) online at no charge. See here.

Effect of Early and Prophylactic Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs on Flare Duration in Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome: An Observational Study of Patients Followed by an Academic Community-Based Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome Clinic     Abstract here