Use of Immunosuppressive Medications for Treatment of Pediatric Intermediate Uveitis.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To describe the treatment and outcomes of a cohort of pediatric intermediate uveitis (IU) patients, with a particular focus on the use of immunomodulatory therapy (IMT). METHODS: The disease course, treatment, and outcomes of 39 pediatric IU patients treated in the Uveitis Clinic at the University of Utah from 1999 to 2012 were reviewed, retrospectively. RESULTS: Mean age at presentation was 7.7 years (SD 3.1). In total, 95% had bilateral involvement. Out of 77 total eyes involved, the most frequent disease complications were ocular hypertension (0.71 events per person year, PPY), cataracts (events PPY = 0.39), and cystoid macular edema (events PPY = 0.33). A total of 20 patients received IMT; 19/20 were tapered off systemic corticosteroids without a uveitis recurrence; 75% of eyes had inactive disease at final follow-up (mean 37 months). CONCLUSIONS: The use of IMT, including biologic therapies, may effectively manage disease inflammation and reduce steroid dosages in pediatric IU patients.