Safety and efficacy of infliximab therapy in active behcet's uveitis: an open-label trial.
In this open-label trial, ten male patients with active Behcet's uveitis were enrolled. Initially, two infliximab infusions (5 mg/kg) were given at weeks 0 and 2. The patients continued to receive conventional therapy on recurrence of severe uveitis (RSU) attack. The patients with further attack were regularly given infliximab infusions every 8 weeks. In cases of further RSU attacks, the infusion interval was reduced to 6 weeks. The total follow-up period was 3 years. The patients were monitored for RSU, visual acuity and adverse effects. Reduction in the doses of prednisolone was also monitored. After receiving two infliximab infusions at weeks 0 and 2, three patients remained attack-free and seven patients had another RSU attack between 8th and 47th week. These patients were regularly given infliximab at 8-week intervals. Five out of seven patients remained attack-free. In two patients who had further attack, infusion frequency was increased to 6 weeks. There was a remarkable improvement in visual acuity with no significant adverse reaction except mild respiratory tract infection (two patients), headache (one patient) and mild infusion reaction (one patient). Infliximab is a safe and effective drug for the management of Behcet's uveitis. Selection of optimal dose and frequency of infusion required standardization for individual patient.
Al-Rayes
H
H
Department of Medicine, Riyadh Military Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Al-Swailem
R
R
Al-Balawi
M
M
Al-Dohayan
N
N
Al-Zaidi
S
S
Tariq
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001528:Behcet Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D000069285:Infliximab; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014606:Uveitis, Anterior / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000069285:Infliximab