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Combination therapy protocol reduces autoimmune ocular inflammatory disease
Acta Ophthalmol. 2009;87(3):340-345.
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An immunosuppressive treatment regimen effectively managed severe or steroid-resistant ocular inflammatory disease, according to a study.
"Immunosuppressive treatment was effective in achieving inflammatory quiescence in a large majority of patients," the study authors said. "The study also demonstrated the long-term safety of the protocol and its steroid-sparing effect."
The prospective, non-randomized study included patients with ocular inflammation that failed to respond suitably to steroids alone for a mean 9 months. Patients were given the option to participate in a steroid-sparing immunosuppressive treatment protocol. The protocol comprised various immunosuppressive drugs that were administered in a staged sequence and discontinued.
Primary outcome parameters were control of inflammation, visual acuity and safety. The mean follow-up interval was 43 months.
After the protocol was offered, the researchers enrolled 121 eyes of 76 patients. Results showed 86% of patients achieving complete control of inflammation. The rate of inflammatory recurrence per patient was 0.78 ± 1.13 in the first year; the rate was reduced further at the next follow-up. Mean logMAR best corrected visual acuity improved from 0.31 to 0.24 (P < .001).
The study group had significantly increased uric acid blood levels and elevated blood pressure.