Dataset Information

Azathioprine for ocular inflammatory diseases.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

To evaluate treatment outcomes of azathioprine for noninfectious ocular inflammatory diseases.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods

Medical records of 145 patients starting azathioprine as a sole noncorticosteroid immunosuppressant at 4 tertiary uveitis services were reviewed. Main outcome measures included control of ocular inflammation, sustained control after tapering prednisone to ResultsAmong 145 patients (255 eyes) treated with azathioprine, 63% had uveitis, 23% had mucous membrane pemphigoid, 11% had scleritis, and 3% had other inflammatory diseases. By Kaplan-Meier analysis, 62% (95% confidence interval [CI], 50% to 74%) of patients with active disease initially gained complete inactivity of inflammation sustained over at least 28 days within 1 year of therapy, and 47% (95% CI, 37% to 58%) tapered systemic corticosteroids to ConclusionsAzathioprine was moderately effective as a single corticosteroid-sparing immunosuppressive agent in terms of control of inflammation and corticosteroid-sparing benefits, but required several months to achieve treatment goals; it seems especially useful for patients with intermediate uveitis. Treatment-limiting side effects occurred in approximately one-fourth of patients within 1 year, but typically were reversible.

SUBMITTER: Pasadhika S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2753718 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Azathioprine for ocular inflammatory diseases.

Pasadhika Sirichai S Kempen John H JH Newcomb Craig W CW Liesegang Teresa L TL Pujari Siddharth S SS Rosenbaum James T JT Thorne Jennifer E JE Foster C Stephen CS Jabs Douglas A DA Levy-Clarke Grace A GA Nussenblatt Robert B RB Suhler Eric B EB

American journal of ophthalmology 20090701 4

<h4>Purpose</h4>To evaluate treatment outcomes of azathioprine for noninfectious ocular inflammatory diseases.<h4>Design</h4>Retrospective cohort study.<h4>Methods</h4>Medical records of 145 patients starting azathioprine as a sole noncorticosteroid immunosuppressant at 4 tertiary uveitis services were reviewed. Main outcome measures included control of ocular inflammation, sustained control after tapering prednisone to </= 10 mg/day, and discontinuation of treatment because of side effects.<h4> ...[more]

PMID: 19570522

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Dataset Information

Azathioprine for ocular inflammatory diseases.

Purpose

Design

Methods

Publications

Azathioprine for ocular inflammatory diseases.

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