Purpose: To study the efficacy and tolerance of certolizumab pegol (CZP) in active uveitis.
Methods: Retrospective case series at 4 referral centers. Patients treated with CZP for active uveitis during at least 6 months were eligible. Inflammation by SUN scores, visual acuity (VA) (logMAR), and central macular thickness (CMT) were compared from baseline until final follow-up. Quiescence was defined as 0+ to 0.5+ in anterior chamber and vitreous haze scores and no CMT increase.
Results: Four males and 3 females (14 eyes) were included, mean age 42.4 ± 8.8 years. All were long-lasting chronic-relapsing uveitis with prior failure to other anti-TNF-α. After a mean follow-up of 10.4 ± 4.8 months, 5/7 patients (71.4%) achieved quiescence with CZP. VA improved significantly from +0.52 ± 0.68 to +0.45 ± 0.68 (p = 0.032) at 1 month and to +0.44 ± 0.64 (p = 0.035) at 6 months. No adverse events were found.
Conclusion: CZP can be an effective alternative in refractory uveitis.
Keywords: Anti-TNF; biologics; certolizumab pegol; treatment; uveitis.