Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 3) — TV host-actress Kris Aquino is saying goodbye to her friends and fans “for now” as she finds treatment for her rare health condition in Houston, Texas. USA.
Aquino was earlier diagnosed with Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangitis (EGPA), formerly known as Churg-Strauss Syndrome, which is an inflammation of the blood vessels. She said that last month her autoimmune conditions had been categorized by doctors as “life threatening” illnesses.
“I’ll miss you- my friends & followers very much. Time is now my enemy, naghahabol kami hoping na wala pang [we are rushing hoping there is still no] permanent damage to the blood vessels leading to my heart,” she said in an Instagram post.
“For now and the next few years- sadly, it’s goodbye. Praying na kayanin ng katawan ko itong matinding pagsubok [that my body can take this extreme challenge],” she added.
The video she shared explained her condition, as told by her doctor Niño Gavino.
Upon reviewing Aquino’s medical history and records from the Philippines and Singapore, Gavino said they made a primary working diagnosis of EGPA that could explain her weight loos, gastrointestinal intolerances, and fluctuating blood pressure, which have led to travel postponements.
Aquino was given steroid drug on May 6, but it led to “severe adverse reactions which almost incapacitated her body.” This is “a complete opposite of what steroids should have done,” he noted.
Her reaction to corticosteroids also prevented the doctors from treating her with it, which is why she was recommended to fly to Houston to undergo treatment with Nucala, a non-steroid, US FDA-approved treatment for EGPA, Gavino explained.
The said drug is neither available nor approved in the Philippines.
Upon arriving in Houston, Aquino will undergo tests to re-evaluate her health’s status, the doctor said.
The experts’ evaluation of her treatment with Nucala will also determine “if disease remission has been achieved.” Otherwise, Rituxan will be added to the regimen.
“The subsequent 9-12 months will be crucial for us to see if she can achieve remission and continue the regimen further because to survive, Ms. Aquino will have to make whichever combination works, her lifetime maintenance medicine,” he pointed out.
He noted that without medical intervention, a five-year survival rate in EGPA is about 25 %. With treatment, it is 62%.
“Only 1 in every 1 million people get this form of vasculitis per year. That is how rare and hard to treat Ms. Aquino’s case is,” he added.
The doctor said Aquino was also informed it would take at least 18-24 months before knowing if her treatments worked.
