AB0670 Short and long-term treatment with infliximab in retinal vasculitis of behÇet's disease. multicenter study of 72 patients

Abstract

Background: Retinal vasculitis (RV) is a serious complication of uveitis due to Behçet's disease (BD).1-2 Objectives: We assess the short/long-term efficacy of Infliximab (IFX) in refractory RV of BD. Methods: Multicenter study of patients with RV of BD refractory to corticosteroids and at least 1 conventional immunosuppressant (IS). We compared efficacy of IFX between baseline, 1st week, 1-6 months and 1-6 years. Results: 72 patients/129 affected eyes (40♂/32♀) with mean age of 39.6±9.7 years. HLA-B51 was (+) in 63%. Before IFX onset, patients had received: oral/e.v. glucocorticoids (n=98), CyA (n=56), AZA (n=43), MTX (n=34) and other IS (n=22). IFX was used as monotherapy in 17 patients and combined with conventional IS in the remaining 55. IFX dose was as follows: 3 mg/kg/4-8 w (n=5), 4 mg/kg/4 w (n=1), 5-5.5 mg/kg/ 4-8 w (n=66). Following IFX onset, an improvement in RV was seen, as well as in the other ocular outcomes. This enhancement was maintained (table 1). After a mean follow-up of 26.5±22.1 months, IFX was discontinued in 44: remission (n=15), primary failure (n=16), preference of another route of administration (n=8), pregnancy (n=1) and adverse effects (n=4). (Table Presented) Conclusions: IFX seems an effective short/long-term treatment in RV of BD.