Treatment of ocular cicatricial pemphigoid with sulfasalazine.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the outcome of patients with ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP) treated with sulfasalazine as an alternative to dapsone.


METHODS
Retrospective noncomparative case series.


METHODS
Nine patients with biopsy-proven OCP and previous dapsone-related adverse effects (hemolysis and gastrointestinal disturbances) treated with oral sulfasalazine.


METHODS
Clinical data were abstracted from patients' medical records.


METHODS
Patients' symptoms, ocular inflammation, conjunctival scarring, complete blood cell count (including reticulocyte count).


RESULTS
At the initiation of sulfasalazine therapy, ocular inflammation was controlled in all patients but one. Mean follow-up was 12 months (range, 2-35 months). Median oral sulfasalazine dosage was 3 g (range, 1-4 g). The disease remained controlled with sulfasalazine alone in four patients (45%). Two patients (22%) required adjunctive oral cyclophosphamide. Adverse effects necessitating drug withdrawal occurred in three patients (33%): hemolysis in two and gastrointestinal disturbances in one.


CONCLUSIONS
Sulfasalazine may be useful in OCP patients with previous dapsone-related adverse effects.
Doan
S
S
Department of Ophthalmology, Bichat--Claude-Bernard Hospital and Fondation A. de Rothschild, Paris, France.
Lerouic
J F
JF
Robin
H
H
Prost
C
C
Savoldelli
M
M
Hoang-Xuan
T
T
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003231:Conjunctivitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010390:Pemphigoid, Benign Mucous Membrane / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012460:Sulfasalazine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D012460:Sulfasalazine