Therapeutic experience with infliximab in a patient with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis and uveitis

• Published in: Rheumatology international 2003-09, Vol.23 (5), p.258-261
• Main Authors: MANGGE, Harald, HEINZL, Bernd, GRUBBAUER, Hans-Michael, EL-SHABRAWI, Yosuf, SCHAUENSTEIN, Konrad
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Antibodies, Monoclonal - therapeutic use; Antirheumatic Agents - therapeutic use; Arthritis; Arthritis, Juvenile - complications; Arthritis, Juvenile - drug therapy; Arthritis, Juvenile - immunology; Biological and medical sciences; Bones, joints and connective tissue. Antiinflammatory agents; C-Reactive Protein - immunology; Drug therapy; Humans; Infliximab; Male; Medical sciences; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Severity of Illness Index; Treatment Failure; Uveitis, Anterior - complications; Uveitis, Anterior - drug therapy; Uveitis, Anterior - immunology
• ISSN: 0172-8172; 1437-160X
• DOI: 10.1007/s00296-003-0308-1

A pediatric patient with prolonged seronegative polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and concomitant aggressive, anterior uveitis refractory to any conventional antirheumatic therapy was treated with infliximab. Arthritis and C-reactive protein (CRP) values showed prompt positive effects but, after 6 weeks, returned gradually to initial values despite ongoing therapy. In contrast, a more sustained therapeutic effect was observed on the uveitis, with increased visual acuity and reduced inflammatory signs of the affected eye. However, this benefit was also lost at week 30, after which infliximab had to be discontinued due to side effects. To conclude, in polyarticular seronegative JIA, infliximab showed a transient beneficial effect which was more pronounced on uveitis than arthritis.