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Long-term efficacy of adalimumab in the treatment of uveitis associate
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Long-term efficacy of adalimumab in the treatment of uveitis associated with juvenile idiopathic arthritis



Original Research

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Authors: Kotaniemi K, Säilä H, Kautiainen H

Published Date October 2011 Volume 2011:5 Pages 1425 - 1429
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/OPTH.S23646

Kaisu Kotaniemi1,2, Hanna Säilä2, Hannu Kautiainen3
1Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland; 2Orton Orthopaedic Hospital and Rehabilitation Unit, Helsinki, Finland; 3Unit of Primary Health Care, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the long-term effects of adalimumab, a tumor necrosis factor alpha antagonist, in the treatment of uveitis associated with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
Methods: Adalimumab was initiated in 94 patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis to treat active arthritis and/or active associated uveitis. In 18 patients, therapy was discontinued after a short period because of inefficacy or side effects. The activity of uveitis (using Standardized Uveitis Nomenclature [SUN] criteria and clinical examination) and arthritis (number of swollen or active joints) was evaluated at the start and at end of the study.
Results: At the end of the study, uveitis was under good clinical control in two thirds of 54 patients (31% did not need any local treatment and 35% used only 1–2 corticosteroid drops a day), and one third had active uveitis (at least three corticosteroid drops a day). According to SUN criteria, adalimumab treatment for uveitis showed improved activity (a two-fold decrease in uveitis activity) in 28% of patients, with a moderate response in 16 patients, no change in a further 16 patients, and worsening activity (a two-fold increase in uveitis activity) in 13% of patients. The overall proportion of patients with active arthritis decreased. At the beginning of the study, 69% of patients with uveitis had more than two active joints, and at the end of the study only 27% had active joint disease. In 27 patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis without uveitis on adalimumab, the number of active joints decreased from 93% to 59%. Systemic corticosteroid treatment could be stopped in 22% of patients with uveitis and in 11% of those without uveitis. Most of the patients had received methotrexate, other immunosuppressive therapy, or other biological drugs before initiating adalimumab.
Conclusion: Adalimumab is a valuable option in the treatment of uveitis associated with active juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Keywords: adalimumab, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, uveitis



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