Implications of COVID-19 infection on patients with uveitis under biologic treatment

Abstract

Background/aims To investigate the incidence, severity of COVID-19 infection and the outcomes in patients with uveitis treated with biologic agents during COVID-19 pandemic. Methods In this prospective study, we included all patients with uveitis treated with biologic agents and tested for COVID-19 infection between May 2020 and October 2020. Results A total of 59 patients were identified. Behçet's disease was the most common diagnosis (64.4%). Infliximab was the most frequent biologic agent used (61%). Nine (15.3%) patients were tested positive for COVID-19. None of the patients with positive COVID-19 test developed any COVID-19-related symptoms during follow-up. Of the nine patients with positive COVID-19 test, only two patients had uveitis flare-up after the biologic suspension. Conclusion Uveitis patients under biologic therapy can be silent carriers for COVID-19.