Use of Immunosuppressive Medications for Treatment of Pediatric Intermediate Uveitis

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To describe the treatment and outcomes of a cohort of pediatric intermediate uveitis (IU) patients, with a particular focus on the use of immunomodulatory therapy (IMT).

Methods: The disease course, treatment, and outcomes of 39 pediatric IU patients treated in the Uveitis Clinic at the University of Utah from 1999 to 2012 were reviewed, retrospectively.

Results: Mean age at presentation was 7.7 years (SD 3.1). In total, 95% had bilateral involvement. Out of 77 total eyes involved, the most frequent disease complications were ocular hypertension (0.71 events per person year, PPY), cataracts (events PPY = 0.39), and cystoid macular edema (events PPY = 0.33). A total of 20 patients received IMT; 19/20 were tapered off systemic corticosteroids without a uveitis recurrence; 75% of eyes had inactive disease at final follow-up (mean 37 months).

Conclusions: The use of IMT, including biologic therapies, may effectively manage disease inflammation and reduce steroid dosages in pediatric IU patients.

Keywords:

• Immunosuppression
• intermediate uveitis
• pediatrics

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

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

Dr. Vitale would like to disclose that he is a consultant for ACIONT, the other authors have nothing to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

Funding was received from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, grant no. 5K23AR066064-03.