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Long term efficacy and tolerability of anti‐TNFα therapy in the treatment of non‐infectious uveitis – a surveillance study
Author(s) -
DAMATO EM,
DICK A,
LEE RJW,
SHARMA SM
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2012.2275.x
Subject(s) - medicine , tolerability , adverse effect , prednisolone , immunosuppression , uveitis , concomitant , surgery , immunology
Purpose To report the efficacy and tolerability of anti‐TNFα agents in the management of non‐infectious uveitis and scleritis in adult patients Methods Forty adult patients treated for at least twelve months with anti‐TNFα therapy for non‐infectious uveitis or scleritis were identified using an online biologics registry. Data were collected regarding prednisolone doses, immunosuppressive agents, adverse effects and steroid rescues. The main outcome measures were 1. rates of reduction of daily prednisolone dose to 10mg, 5mg or less; 2. rates of reduction in concomitant immunosuppression 3. steroid rescues and 4.adverse events Results In this patient cohort the use of anti‐TNFα therapy enabled the daily prednisolone dose to be maintained at 10mg or less per day in 80% of patients. The rate of steroid rescue was reduced from 0.79 rescues per person per year (PPY) to 0.29PPY following the use of anti‐TNFα therapy. In patients requiring more than 2 immunosuppressive agents at baseline, it was possible to reduce this to 1 or 0 in 80% Conclusion This study supports the current use of anti‐TNFα agents in the management of adult patients with non‐infectious uveitis, whilst awaiting results of current on going randomized controlled trials. . Their use enables steroid sparing, a reduction in concurrent immunosuppressive agents and is associated with a lower risk of relapse. This is achieved with a low rate of adverse events.