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BMC Ophthalmology
Published in: BMC Ophthalmology 1/2018

Open Access 01-12-2018 | Research article

Interferon alpha-2a treatment for refractory Behcet uveitis in Korean patients

Authors: Ji Hwan Lee, Christopher Seungkyu Lee, Sung Chul Lee

Published in: BMC Ophthalmology | Issue 1/2018

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Abstract

Background

To evaluate therapeutic outcomes of interferon alpha-2a (IFNα2a) treatment in patients with Behcet’s disease who were refractory to immunosuppressive agents.

Methods

This retrospective case series reviewed the medical records of 5 patients with refractory Behcet uveitis from January 2011 to February 2017. IFNα2a was administered at a dose of 3 million IU 3 times per week. Clinical response, relapse rate, and change of visual acuity were evaluated.

Results

The mean age of patients was 39.60 ± 9.21 years, and the median treatment duration was 6 months. Four of the 5 patients (80%) presented with responses to IFNα2a without any uveitis attack during the treatment period. The mean number of uveitis attacks/year per patient during the treatment was 0.40 ± 0.89. The mean log of the Minimum Angle of Resolution visual acuity improved from 1.44 ± 0.38 at baseline to 1.02 ± 0.58 at the final follow up.

Conclusions

IFNα2a is an effective therapy for Behcet uveitis refractory to conventional immunosuppressants in Korean patients.
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Metadata
Title
Interferon alpha-2a treatment for refractory Behcet uveitis in Korean patients
Authors
Ji Hwan Lee
Christopher Seungkyu Lee
Sung Chul Lee
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Ophthalmology / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2415
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12886-018-0719-0

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