Abstract | BACKGROUND: The severity of disease and the side-effects of long-term corticosteroid treatment support the rationale for other immunosuppressive drugs in the management of uveitis. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is a selective inhibitor of ionosine monophosphate dehydrogenase and exerts its major effects by modulation of the function of T and B lymphocytes. This study was undertaken to evaluate the clinical effect of MMF in the control of intermediate and posterior uveitis. METHODS: RESULTS: The indication for treatment with MMF in all 18 patients (age range: 11-73 years) was either poor control of ocular inflammation by the previous immunosuppressive therapy or unacceptable side-effects of this therapy. The daily MMF dose was 2 g and therapy was combined with cyclosporin A and/or prednisolone. One patient received MMF monotherapy. Corticosteroids were discontinued in 4 patients and the steroid dose could be reduced in 14 patients following MMF therapy. Marked resolution of ocular inflammatory activity occurred in 13 patients. The most frequently observed side-effects of MMF were myalgia, fatigue, headache and gastrointestinal problems. CONCLUSION: MMF was effective in disease control in the majority of patients with intermediate and posterior uveitis and proved to be a useful second line immunosuppressant for refractory intraocular inflammatory disease with an acceptable profile of side-effects.
|
Authors | K Greiner, M Varikkara, C Santiago, J V Forrester |
Journal | Der Ophthalmologe : Zeitschrift der Deutschen Ophthalmologischen Gesellschaft
(Ophthalmologe)
Vol. 99
Issue 9
Pg. 691-4
(Sep 2002)
ISSN: 0941-293X [Print] Germany |
Vernacular Title | Effizienz von Mycophenolat-Mofetil bei der Therapie der intermediären und posterioren Uveitis. |
PMID | 12219257
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
|
Chemical References |
- Immunosuppressive Agents
- Cyclosporine
- Prednisolone
- IMP Dehydrogenase
- Mycophenolic Acid
|
Topics |
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Child
- Cyclosporine
(administration & dosage, adverse effects)
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Drug Therapy, Combination
- Female
- Humans
- IMP Dehydrogenase
(antagonists & inhibitors)
- Immunosuppressive Agents
(administration & dosage, adverse effects)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Mycophenolic Acid
(administration & dosage, adverse effects, analogs & derivatives)
- Prednisolone
(administration & dosage, adverse effects)
- Retrospective Studies
- Treatment Outcome
- Uveitis, Intermediate
(diagnosis, drug therapy)
- Uveitis, Posterior
(diagnosis, drug therapy)
|