Recurrence of uveitis after discontinuation of infliximab.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the recurrence of uveitis after discontinuation of infliximab once control of inflammation is achieved.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted of patients seen at the Proctor Foundation between 1998 and 2010 who discontinued infliximab after achieving corticosteroid-sparing control by Standardization of Uveitis Nomenclature criteria. The main outcome was the proportion of patients who had a relapse of uveitis.

RESULTS

Eighteen patients attempted to discontinue infliximab after achieving control of inflammation, and 11 patients had a relapse. Median time to relapse was 603 days (95% CI: 85-1461 days). Patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)-associated uveitis (n = 4) relapsed faster (median time to relapse: 76 days, p = 0.002) compared with patients who did not have JIA-associated uveitis (median = 1169 days).

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of patients who achieved control of inflammation on infliximab had a recurrence after discontinuing therapy. Patients with JIA experienced recurrence faster compared to other patients.