Treatment of severe refractory uveitis with intravenous cyclophosphamide
Rosenbaum, J.T.
Journal of Rheumatology 21(1): 123-125
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0315-162X PMID: 8151566 Document Number: 431843
Objective: We assessed the efficacy of intravenous (iv) cyclophosphamide therapy for patients with uveitis. Methods: Eleven patients with uveitis were treated with iv cyclophosphamide. Patients were from a tertiary care, referral practice, had failed oral corticosteroid therapy, and had disease that interfered with activities of daily living. Results: Only 5 patients benefitted and the improvement was sustained without additional immunosuppression in only 2 patients, one of whom had only mild eye disease and was receiving cyclophosphamide for a central nervous system vasculitis. Four patients worsened during the therapy. Conclusion: Although iv cyclophosphamide may have fewer risks than daily, oral cyclophosphamide, the majority of patients with uveitis do not experience a sustained benefit from this therapeutic approach.