Abstract | PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes of early versus late immunomodulatory treatment (IMT) in patients with HLA-B27-associated chronic uveitis. METHODS: Seventy-two patients (114 eyes) with HLA-B27-associated chronic uveitis received IMT at the Ocular Immunology & Uveitis Service of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and were evaluated retrospectively. Main outcome measures were visual acuity, control of inflammation, number of flare-ups and steroid-sparing effect. RESULTS: The median time between diagnosis and start of IMT was 3.05 years. Accordingly, patients were divided into two groups: group A comprised those in whom initiation of IMT was within the first 3 years (36 patients), and in group B initiation of IMT was more than 3 years from the initial diagnosis (36 patients). Control of inflammation was achieved in 29 patients (80.5%) of the early-treated group and in 33 patients (91.6%) of the late-treated group. A steroid-sparing effect was achieved for 13 (81.25%) of the 16 and for 11 (73.33%) of the 15 patients who were on systemic steroid in the early- and late-treated groups respectively. The mean follow-up for the early-treated group was 2.14 years and for the late-treated group, 3.46 years. CONCLUSIONS:
|
Authors | Sofia Androudi, Periklis Brazitikos, Barbara Iaccheri, Tito Fiore, William Christen, Margherita Meniconi, C Stephen Foster |
Journal | Graefe's archive for clinical and experimental ophthalmology = Albrecht von Graefes Archiv fur klinische und experimentelle Ophthalmologie
(Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol)
Vol. 241
Issue 12
Pg. 1000-5
(Dec 2003)
ISSN: 0721-832X [Print] Germany |
PMID | 14605907
(Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
|
Chemical References |
- HLA-B27 Antigen
- Immunosuppressive Agents
- Cyclosporine
- Cyclophosphamide
- Mycophenolic Acid
- Azathioprine
|
Topics |
- Adult
- Azathioprine
(therapeutic use)
- Chronic Disease
- Cyclophosphamide
(therapeutic use)
- Cyclosporine
(therapeutic use)
- Drug Therapy, Combination
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- HLA-B27 Antigen
(immunology)
- Humans
- Immunosuppressive Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Male
- Mycophenolic Acid
(analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
- Retrospective Studies
- Treatment Outcome
- Uveitis
(drug therapy, immunology)
|