title: Long-term efficacy and safety of interferon α-2a therapy in severe refractory ophthalmic Behcet's disease.
abstract: Ophthalmic involvement is the most debilitating complication of Behcet's disease (BD). The aim of the current study is to report on the efficacy and safety of a long-term use of interferon alpha-2a (IFNα-2a) in the treatment of refractory ophthalmic BD in the Azari population of Iran. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 12 patients with ophthalmic BD who were under IFNα-2a therapy. All these patients had previously been treated unsuccessfully with corticosteroid and at least one conventional immunosuppressive drug. IFNα-2a was administered at a daily dose of 6 million IU (MIU). After controlling the symptoms, a dose of 6 MIU three times per week was applied for 8-12 weeks, and then, a dose of 3 MIU was administered three times per week as a subcutaneous injection. Visual acuity and total inflammatory activity index (TIAI) were used in order to assess the response to the treatment. Response to the treatment and complete eye remission were obtained in 10 (83.3 %) and 7 (58.3 %) patients, irrespectively. Improvement or stabilization of visual acuity was observed in 18 (81.8 %) out of 22 eyes. After a mean period of 29.6 months, the use of IFNa-2a was discontinued in eight (66.7 %) patients. Unaltered vision for 2 years after IFNa-2a discontinuation happened in eight (100 %) patients. IFNa-2a is probably effective and safe in the treatment of refractory sight-threatening ophthalmic BD in the Azari population of Iran.
authors.affiliation: Connective Tissue Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Hadise
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kavandi
authors.affiliation: Connective Tissue Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. dr_khabbazi@yahoo.com.|Internal Medicine Department, Flat 4, Emam Reza Hospital, Tabriz, Iran. dr_khabbazi@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khabbazi
authors.affiliation: Connective Tissue Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Sousan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kolahi
authors.affiliation: Connective Tissue Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Mehrzad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hajialilo
authors.affiliation: Connective Tissue Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Farid Karkon
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Shayan
authors.affiliation: Connective Tissue Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oliaei
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001528:Behcet Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D020690:GTPase-Activating Proteins; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012074:Remission Induction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D020690:GTPase-Activating Proteins; C064960:IRA2 protein, S cerevisiae; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
keywords: Azari population; Behcet’s disease; Interferon; Ophthalmic involvement; Uveitis