Efficacy of Infliximab in Disease Control of Refractory Orbital Myositis.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Orbital myositis is a common cause of orbital inflammation with localized involvement of the extra ocular muscles. This study aimed to assess the value of infliximab in controlling orbital myositis and reducing its relapse rate. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of the medical records of all consecutive patients with orbital myositis treated with infliximab between 2007 and 2016. We examined change in corticosteroid and immunomodulatory doses as well as relapse rates following treatment with infliximab. RESULTS: The study included seven patients with an average follow up of 19 ± 13.4 months. The mean dose of systemic corticosteroid was reduced from 28.57 ± 14.35 mg/day at the time of infliximab initiation to 7.00 ± 6.83 mg/day at final follow-up (p = .003). Long-term remission was achieved in 85.7% (n = 6). CONCLUSION: This study supports the role of infliximab in treating refractory orbital myositis and this was associated with clinical improvement, decreasing relapse rate with dose reduction of conventional treatment.