C M Samson1, N Waheed, S Baltatzis, C S Foster. 1. Ocular Immunology & Uveitis Service, Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts 02116, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes of patients with chronic noninfectious uveitis unresponsive to conventional antiinflammatory therapy who were treated with methotrexate. DESIGN: Retrospective noncomparative interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS: All patients with chronic noninfectious uveitis treated with methotrexate at a single institution from 1985 to 1999. METHODS: Charts of patients seen on the Ocular Immunology & Uveitis Service at the Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary were reviewed. Patients with chronic uveitis of noninfectious origin treated with methotrexate were included in the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Control of inflammation, steroid-sparing effect, visual acuity, adverse reactions. RESULTS: A total of 160 patients met the inclusion criteria. Control of inflammation was achieved in 76.2% of patients. Steroid-sparing effect was achieved in 56% of patients. Visual acuity was maintained or improved in 90% of patients. Side effects requiring discontinuation of medication occurred in 18% of patients. Potentially serious adverse reactions occurred in only 8.1% of patients. There was neither long-term morbidity nor mortality caused by methotrexate. CONCLUSIONS: Methotrexate is effective in the treatment of chronic noninfectious uveitis that fails to respond to conventional steroid treatment. It is an effective steroid-sparing immunomodulator, is a safe medication, and is well tolerated.
PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes of patients with chronic noninfectious uveitis unresponsive to conventional antiinflammatory therapy who were treated with methotrexate. DESIGN: Retrospective noncomparative interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS: All patients with chronic noninfectious uveitis treated with methotrexate at a single institution from 1985 to 1999. METHODS: Charts of patients seen on the Ocular Immunology & Uveitis Service at the Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary were reviewed. Patients with chronic uveitis of noninfectious origin treated with methotrexate were included in the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Control of inflammation, steroid-sparing effect, visual acuity, adverse reactions. RESULTS: A total of 160 patients met the inclusion criteria. Control of inflammation was achieved in 76.2% of patients. Steroid-sparing effect was achieved in 56% of patients. Visual acuity was maintained or improved in 90% of patients. Side effects requiring discontinuation of medication occurred in 18% of patients. Potentially serious adverse reactions occurred in only 8.1% of patients. There was neither long-term morbidity nor mortality caused by methotrexate. CONCLUSIONS:Methotrexate is effective in the treatment of chronic noninfectious uveitis that fails to respond to conventional steroid treatment. It is an effective steroid-sparing immunomodulator, is a safe medication, and is well tolerated.
Authors: Aimee O Hersh; Spencer Cope; John F Bohnsack; Akbar Shakoor; Albert T Vitale Journal: Ocul Immunol Inflamm Date: 2016-12-14 Impact factor: 3.070