Efficacy of Infliximab for Early Remission Induction in Refractory Uveoretinitis Associated with Behçet Disease: A 2-year Follow-up Study

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To compare the efficacy of infliximab (IFX) on refractory uveoretinitis between Behçet disease (BD) patients with short duration (≤18 months, n = 6) versus long duration (>18 months, n = 7) of their ocular disease.

Methods: Records of 13 BD patients treated with IFX for 24 months were retrospectively reviewed.

Results: Frequency of ocular attacks decreased with IFX treatment in both groups, with no significant difference. Retinal and disc vascular leakage scores also decreased in both groups, however was significantly lower in the short-duration group. Percentage of eyes with a best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 1.0 or better at year 2 was 100% in the short-duration and 21% in the long-duration group.

Conclusions: Induction of early remission using IFX appeared to be more effective in reducing background vascular leakage and in maintaining good visual acuity in BD patients.

Keywords:

• Behçet disease
• BOS24
• fluorescein angiography
• infliximab
• uveoretinitis

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

This study was supported by restricted research funds from Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma for the Department of Ophthalmology, Kyorin University School of Medicine.