Intravenous pulse methylprednisolone in the treatment of uveitis associated with multiple sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) in the treatment of uveitis in association with multiple sclerosis (MS).


METHODS
Uveitis is an unusual manifestation of MS that may be severe, chronic and require systemic immunosuppression therapy. High-dose IVMP has previously been shown to be effective in the treatment of inflammatory eye disease and MS. Eight episodes of uveitis in five patients with MS were treated over a 10-year period in an open, uncontrolled trial. Two patients had chronic anterior uveitis, one patient had bilateral panuveitis and two patients had intermediate uveitis.


RESULTS
All patients responded to IVMP with evidence of a decrease in intraocular inflammatory activity and improved visual acuity (VA) within 2 weeks of commencing treatment. There were no severe ocular or systemic steroid side effects.


CONCLUSIONS
Intravenous methylprednisolone is an effective, well-tolerated form of therapy for uveitis in patients with MS.
Wakefield
D
D
School of Pathology University of New South Wales, Department of Ophthalmology, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia. d.wakefield@unsw.edu.au
Jennings
A
A
McCluskey
P J
PJ
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications*; D012449:Safety; D014606:Uveitis, Anterior / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D015867:Uveitis, Intermediate / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D015866:Uveitis, Posterior / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D014792:Visual Acuity
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D008775:Methylprednisolone