Comparison of the Treatment Results for Behçet Uveitis in Patients Treated with Infliximab and Interferon

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To compare the efficacy and safety of infliximab and interferon in patients with refractory Behçet uveitis.

Methods: Medical records of 20 patients treated with infliximab (IFX) and 33 patients treated with interferon (IFN) were retrospectively analyzed by evaluating the number of uveitis attacks, visual acuity and ocular inflammation at 6 and 12 months after initiation of treatment.

Results: Mean duration of treatment was 22 ± 18 months in IFX group and 30.3 ± 22.5 months in IFN group. Sixteen patients of IFX group (80%) and 28 patients of IFN group (85%) achieved remission. In both groups, the mean best-corrected visual acuity and all inflammatory parameters improved. In terms of these parameters, there was no significant difference between the two groups.

Conclusion: Infliximab and interferon improve control of ocular inflammation and efficiently decrease the relapse rate. Our results determined no significant difference between two agents in controlling intraocular inflammation.

Keywords:

• Behçet’s disease
• infliximab
• interferon
• uveitis

Declaration Of Interest

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