Long-term effects of interferon alpha 2A treatment in Behçet's disease.
BACKGROUND
Between May 1995 and April 1996, 20 patients with Behçet's disease were successfully treated with interferon alpha(2a) (IFN-alpha(2a)) 9 million IU/day three times a week and 16 patients with colchicine 1.5 mg/day orally for 3 months.


OBJECTIVE
To study the long-term effects of IFN treatment in Behçet's disease.


METHODS
Between the years of 1996 and 1999, the patients were followed up every 3 months or whenever indicated. Retrospective evaluation was performed.


RESULTS
In 56% of the patients with complete remission or partial remission at the end of IFN-alpha(2a) treatment, long-term remissions ranging from 36 to 48 months were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
IFN-alpha(2a) treatment is an effective treatment modality in Behçet's disease with the advantage of inducing prolonged remissions.
Boyvat
A
A
Department of Dermatology, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. boyvat@dialup.ankara.edu.tr
Sişman-Solak
C
C
Gürler
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001528:Behcet Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012074:Remission Induction; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins