title: Decreased ocular inflammatory attacks and background retinal and disc vascular leakage in patients with Behcet's disease on infliximab therapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of infliximab treatment in patients with refractory uveoretinitis associated with Behçet's disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical records of 14 patients were retrospectively reviewed. Patients received infliximab infusions (5 mg/kg) at weeks 0, 2 and 6, and every 8 weeks thereafter. The main outcome measures were frequency of clinically observable ocular inflammatory attacks, background retinal and disc vascular leakage as assessed by fluorescein angiography during periods of clinical quiescence, visual acuity and adverse effects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median follow-up after initiating infliximab therapy was 19 months (range 12-29 months). At 12 months, eight of 14 patients (57%) had experienced no inflammatory attacks, and the frequency of attacks was significantly reduced when compared with the 6-month period just prior to infliximab use. Background retinal and disc vascular leakage assessed at 12 months improved in 11 of 14 patients (79%). Visual acuity improved or remained unchanged at 12 months in 26 of 28 eyes (93%). Infliximab therapy was terminated in two patients owing to infusion reactions. However, no serious adverse effects were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Infliximab over the first year of treatment appeared effective in reducing ocular inflammatory attacks, as well as background retinal and disc vascular leakage, in patients with refractory uveoretinitis associated with Behçet's disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Keino
authors.forename: Annabelle A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Okada
authors.forename: Takayo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Wakako
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Taki
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001528:Behcet Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000069285:Infliximab; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009898:Optic Disk / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D012160:Retina / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D012173:Retinitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D000069285:Infliximab