title: Enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium as a corticosteroid-sparing agent for the treatment of autoimmune scleritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS) as a corticosteroid-sparing agent in the treatment of autoimmune scleritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective, interventional, noncomparative review of EC-MPS use in patients with autoimmune scleritis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seven eyes of 5 patients (all female; median age: 47 years, range: 20-55 years) with inflammatory scleral disease were treated with EC-MPS. The mean follow-up duration was 16.4 months (range, 12-20 months). EC-MPS was started at 360 mg twice daily. The mean time to treatment success was 1.6 months (range, 1-3 months). The mean prednisolone dosage at the onset of EC-MPS was 24 mg daily (range, 15-30 mg), and this was reduced to 6.5 mg daily (range, 0-10 mg) as inflammation control was achieved. No severe adverse events except for 1 patient with transient knee pain were reported; the incidence of adverse events after using EC-MPS was 1/6.83 person-years. There was no recurrence of scleral inflammation during the follow-up period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EC-MPS can be used as a corticosteroid-sparing agent to safely suppress inflammatory autoimmune scleritis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Yih-Shiou
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Hung-Chi Jesse
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Kuan-Jen
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chi-Chun
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yeung
authors.forename: Ko-Jen
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Ken-Kuo
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Ching-Hsi
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Hsiao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015423:Scleritis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013608:Tablets, Enteric-Coated; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D013608:Tablets, Enteric-Coated; D011239:Prednisolone; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid