title: Long-term clinical outcomes in patients with refractory uveitis associated with Behçet disease treated with infliximab.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess long-term efficacy and safety of infliximab for refractory Behçet disease (BD) uveitis and to evaluate the effect of withdrawal of infliximab after achieving long-term remission.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study of 19 patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean follow-up was 44.1 ± 36.5 months and mean number of infliximab infusions was 21.6 ± 14.6. At end of follow-up, there was significant improvement of visual acuity and reduction of central macular thickness. All patients achieved remission, 14 of whom were able to discontinue corticosteroids. Ten patients developed autoantibodies and 1 patient developed infusion reactions. Eight eyes underwent intraocular surgery without exacerbation of quiescent uveitis. After achieving complete remission, 5 patients discontinued infliximab and maintained remission during a mean of 24.6 ± 5.5 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Infliximab is effective and safe for long-term treatment for refractory BD uveitis. Repeated infusions are required to maintain long-term remission, which may be sustained despite withdrawal of infliximab. Induction of autoantibodies is common.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, King Saud University , Riyadh , Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Sultan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Al Rashidi
authors.forename: Abdullah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al Fawaz
authors.forename: Dustan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kangave
authors.forename: Ahmed M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Abu El-Asrar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001528:Behcet Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D000069285:Infliximab; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D012074:Remission Induction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D015866:Uveitis, Posterior / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D014792:Visual Acuity; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000069285:Infliximab