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Prevention of flare recurrences in childhood‐refractory chronic uveitis: An open‐label comparative study of adalimumab versus infliximab
Author(s) -
Simonini Gabriele,
Taddio Andrea,
Cattalini Marco,
Caputo Roberto,
De Libero Cinzia,
Naviglio Samuele,
Bresci Cecilia,
Lorusso Monica,
Lepore Loredana,
Cimaz Rolando
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
arthritis care and research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.032
H-Index - 163
eISSN - 2151-4658
pISSN - 2151-464X
DOI - 10.1002/acr.20404
Subject(s) - medicine , adalimumab , infliximab , discontinuation , uveitis , refractory (planetary science) , cohort , prospective cohort study , surgery , disease , immunology , physics , astrobiology
Objective To compare the efficacy and safety of adalimumab versus infliximab in an open‐label prospective, comparative, multicenter cohort study of childhood noninfectious chronic uveitis. Methods Thirty‐three patients (22 females, 11 males, median age 9.17 years) with refractory, vision‐threatening, noninfectious active uveitis were enrolled, and received for at least 1 year infliximab (5 mg/kg at weeks 0, 2, and 6, and then every 6–8 weeks) or adalimumab (24 mg/m 2 every 2 weeks). The primary outcome was to assess, once remission was achieved, the time of a first relapse. Time to remission, time to steroid discontinuation, and the number of relapses were also considered. Results Sixteen children (12 with juvenile idiopathic arthritis [JIA], 3 with idiopathic uveitis, and 1 with Behçet's disease) were recruited in the adalimumab cohort and 17 children (10 with JIA, 5 with idiopathic uveitis, 1 with early‐onset sarcoidosis, and 1 with Behçet's disease) were recruited in the infliximab group. Cox regression analysis did not show statistically significant differences between the two groups with regard to time to achieve remission and time to steroid discontinuation, whereas a higher probability of uveitis remission on adalimumab during the time of treatment was shown (Mantel‐Cox χ 2 = 6.83, P < 0.001). At 40 months of followup, 9 (60%) of 15 children receiving adalimumab compared to 3 (18.8%) of 16 children receiving infliximab were still in remission on therapy ( P < 0.02). Conclusion Even if limited to a relatively small group, our study suggests that over 3 years of treatment, adalimumab is more efficacious than infliximab in maintaining remission of chronic childhood uveitis.