Interferon α for ocular Behçet's disease

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Abstract
Purpose: To investigate the therapeutic role of interferon α in ocular Behçet's disease. Methods: Three patients with B‐ or C‐hepatitis and ocular sight‐threatening Behçet's disease unresponsive to steroids were treated subcutaneously with interferon α 3 times 106/unit three times per week for a mean period of 22 months (range: 12–31 months). The course of ocular and systemic lesions was recorded and compared with a similar pre‐treatment period. Results: At least a 50% reduction in the number of ocular relapses was observed in all the patients (mean relapse/month: 0.41 versus 0.16 in the pre‐ and in‐treatment period, respectively) while during therapy also each relapse lasted less in all subjects. A reduction of steroid dependence was observed in all patients, while no significant side‐effects were related to interferon α administration. Two patients who tried to stop interferon α therapy showed after a mean period of 12.5 days a recurrence of diffuse uveitis and, one of them experienced oral and genital aphthae as well. Conclusion: In patients with Behçet's disease interferon α seems to be a useful alternative therapy for sight‐threatening ocular involvement.

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