Efficacy of Infliximab for Early Remission Induction in Refractory Uveoretinitis Associated with Behçet Disease: A 2-year Follow-up Study.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of infliximab (IFX) on refractory uveoretinitis between Behçet disease (BD) patients with short duration (≤18 months, n = 6) versus long duration (>18 months, n = 7) of their ocular disease.

METHODS

Records of 13 BD patients treated with IFX for 24 months were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

Frequency of ocular attacks decreased with IFX treatment in both groups, with no significant difference. Retinal and disc vascular leakage scores also decreased in both groups, however was significantly lower in the short-duration group. Percentage of eyes with a best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 1.0 or better at year 2 was 100% in the short-duration and 21% in the long-duration group.

CONCLUSIONS

Induction of early remission using IFX appeared to be more effective in reducing background vascular leakage and in maintaining good visual acuity in BD patients.