title: Long-term remission of ocular and extraocular manifestations in Behçet's disease using infliximab.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the long-term effect of infliximab on ocular and extraocular manifestations in patients with Behçet's disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven patients with active Behçet's disease and treated with infliximab at Aichi Medical University Hospital for more than 18 months were included in the study. We evaluated visual acuity, the average number of uveitis attacks involving the posterior segment, and general disease activity every 2 months. The Behçet's Disease Current Activity Form (BDCAF) was used for an overall index of disease activity. Anti-infliximab antibody levels were examined in the patients' sera.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The follow-up period after initial introduction of infliximab ranged from 19 to 40 months (mean ± SD, 32 ± 8.7 months). The number of infliximab infusions ranged from 12 to 24 (19 ± 4.4). By the 2-month follow-up, the frequency of uveitis attacks involving the posterior segment and the BDCAF scores were significantly improved compared to the 2 months before introducing infliximab. Anti-infliximab antibodies were detected in the sera of all examined patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Significant long-term improvement in both the frequency of uveitis attacks involving the posterior segment and overall disease activity was provided by the administration of infliximab to patients suffering from Behçet's disease, despite the presence of anti-infliximab antibodies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute, Aichi, Japan. handa@aichi-med-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Tsuneaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Handa
authors.forename: Hinako
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tsunekawa
authors.forename: Masahiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yoneda
authors.forename: Daisuke
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Tomoyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mukai
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamamura
authors.forename: Masayoshi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iwaki
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zako
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000906:Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001528:Behcet Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D000069285:Infliximab; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D019226:Oral Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D012074:Remission Induction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D015866:Uveitis, Posterior / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000906:Antibodies; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000069285:Infliximab