PURPOSE: To investigate the therapeutic role of interferon alpha in ocular Behçet's disease. METHODS: Three patients with B- or C-hepatitis and ocular sight-threatening Behçet's disease unresponsive to steroids were treated subcutaneously with interferon alpha 3 x 10(6)/unit three times per week for a mean period of 22 months (range: 12-31 months). The course of ocular and systemic lesions was recorded and compared with a similar pre-treatment period. RESULTS: At least a 50% reduction in the number of ocular relapses was observed in all the patients (mean relapse/month: 0.41 versus 0.16 in the pre- and in-treatment period, respectively) while during therapy also each relapse lasted less in all subjects. A reduction of steroid dependence was observed in all patients, while no significant side-effects were related to interferon alpha administration. Two patients who tried to stop interferon alpha therapy showed after a mean period of 12.5 days a recurrence of diffuse uveitis and, one of them experienced oral and genital aphthae as well. CONCLUSION: In patients with Behçet's disease interferon alpha seems to be a useful alternative therapy for sight-threatening ocular involvement.
PURPOSE: To investigate the therapeutic role of interferon alpha in ocular Behçet's disease. METHODS: Three patients with B- or C-hepatitis and ocular sight-threatening Behçet's disease unresponsive to steroids were treated subcutaneously with interferon alpha 3 x 10(6)/unit three times per week for a mean period of 22 months (range: 12-31 months). The course of ocular and systemic lesions was recorded and compared with a similar pre-treatment period. RESULTS: At least a 50% reduction in the number of ocular relapses was observed in all the patients (mean relapse/month: 0.41 versus 0.16 in the pre- and in-treatment period, respectively) while during therapy also each relapse lasted less in all subjects. A reduction of steroid dependence was observed in all patients, while no significant side-effects were related to interferon alpha administration. Two patients who tried to stop interferon alpha therapy showed after a mean period of 12.5 days a recurrence of diffuse uveitis and, one of them experienced oral and genital aphthae as well. CONCLUSION: In patients with Behçet's disease interferon alpha seems to be a useful alternative therapy for sight-threatening ocular involvement.
Authors: Massimo Accorinti; Maria Pia Pirraglia; Maria Pia Paroli; Roberta Priori; Fabrizio Conti; Paola Pivetti-Pezzi Journal: Jpn J Ophthalmol Date: 2007-06-07 Impact factor: 2.447