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Article Summary
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Krause L et al. - Longterm remission of ocular inflammation can be achieved with the combination of IFN- &alpha and low-dose corticosteroids. Methods- Longterm effects of IFN &alpha 2a in a case series of 45 pts with ocular involvement was examined
- 45 pts with ocular involvement in ABD were treated with IFN- &alpha (3 ´ 6-9 Mio IU/wk)
- In the initial acute phase, pts additionally received short-term corticosteroids, tapered to a maintenance dose within 2 wks
- IFN- &alpha -2a was administered as longterm therapy with a mean duration of 30 mos
Results- IFN- &alpha -2a/prednisolone treatment was effective against vasculitis, optic nerve neuropathy, and iritis
- 64 eyes had no recurrence under therapy
- To date, recurrences have been seen in 26 eyes under IFN- &alpha treatment
- Flu-like symptoms were recorded in nearly all patients (n=43)
- Side effects were dose-dependent reversible thrombocytopenia (n=1), psychosis (n=3), depression (n=13), thyroiditis (n=1), and reversible diffuse alopecia (n=7)
- 92% of all eyes showed stable or improved visual acuity in longterm f/u
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