| Abstract | BACKGROUND: Ocular cicatrical pemphigoid can lead to severe structural damage or loss of vision at worst. Longterm therapy with dapsone or systemic immunosuppressive therapy, e.g. with cyclophosphamide is often inevitable. Immunosuppression may cause severe side effects in some patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data are presented on 5 patients with ocular cicatrical pemphigoid who were treated with mycophenolate mofetil 2 g daily. Criterion of effectiveness was the clinical course of the condition defined as nonprogression of the morphologic alterations. Patients were initially examined and interviewed routinely every four weeks for the first four months, then every eight weeks. Patients were asked about side effects and underwent monthly blood checks. RESULTS: All patients were followed for at least 12 months. Mycophenolate mofetil proved to be effective with respect to the clinical course in 9 out of 10 eyes. All patients showed regression of inflammatory conjunctival alteration and improvement of their complaints. In one eye the inflammatory process restarted after surgery due to excessive symblephara had been performed. Gastrointestinal side effects were reported in the initial phase, e.g. lack of appetite, nausea and mild diarrhoea. CONCLUSIONS: Mycophenolate mofetil proved to be an effective immunosuppressant for the treatment of ocular cicatrical pemphigoid. Namely side effects were less severe and frequent compared to those known from other currently administered immunosuppressants. Longterm results and larger case numbers are needed to sustain these early results. |
| Authors | J Zurdel, B Aboalchamat, M Zierhut, N Stübiger, A Bialasiewicz, K Engelmann
(Affiliation: Augenklinik, Universitäts-Krankenhaus Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg. zurdel at uke.uni-hamburg.de)
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| Journal | Klinische Monatsblätter für Augenheilkunde
(Klin Monatsbl Augenheilkd)
Vol. 218
Issue 4
Pg. 222-8
(Apr 2001)
ISSN: 0023-2165 Germany |
| Vernacular Title | Erste klinische Erfahrungen mit Mycophenolatmofetil bei der immunsuppressiven Therapie des okulären Pemphigoids. |
| PMID | 11392266
(Publication Type: Case Reports, Clinical Trial, English Abstract, Journal Article)
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| Chemical References |
- Immunosuppressive Agents
- mycophenolate mofetil
- Mycophenolic Acid
|
| Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Cross-Over Studies
- Female
- Humans
- Immunosuppressive Agents
(adverse effects, therapeutic use)
- Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca
(drug therapy, etiology, immunology)
- Male
- Mycophenolic Acid
(adverse effects, analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
- Pemphigoid, Benign Mucous Membrane
(complications, drug therapy)
- Treatment Outcome
- Visual Acuity
|
