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Aim To analyze the role of interferon-β or glatiramer acetate in reducing the inflammatory episodes of intra-ocular inflammation in multiple sclerosis-associated uveitis. Method A study was conducted on a non-randomized, retrospective case series of 13 patients with proven multiple sclerosis and uveitis (minimum follow-up, 12 months). All patients were given immunomodulatory treatment (interferon-β or glatiramer acetate) to control the course of the multiple sclerosis. Patients were compared to themselves before initiating the treatment, in order to assess the difference in uveitis episodes. The main outcome measurements were the number of uveitis episodes with/without immunomodulatory treatment. Results Uveitis was bilateral in 10 (77%) out of 13 patients. Intermediate uveitis was observed in 11 patients, retinal vasculitis in 3 patients, and one patient was classified as a posterior uveitis. The patients had a mean of 4.15 ± 3.1 episodes of uveitis (range 1–10) during the follow-up period (148.6 ± 84.3 months). When compared to their pre-treatment status, patients on treatment with interferon-β or glatiramer acetate showed a significant decrease of 0.36 episodes of ocular inflammation per year ( p = 0.02). Mild side effects related to immunomodulatory treatment were observed in 6 (46%) patients, 3 (23%) patients with a flu-like syndrome, and 3 (23%) patients with a skin rash. Conclusions Interferon β or glatiramer acetate could be effective in reducing the uveitis episodes in patients with multiple sclerosis-associated uveitis, and was well tolerated in most patients.

Resumen Objetivo Analizar la eficacia del interferon-β o acetato de glatiramero en reducir los episodios de inflamacion intraocular en pacientes con uveitis asociada a esclerosis multiple. Metodo Estudio no aleatorizado, retrospectivo de serie de casos de 13 pacientes con diagnostico definitivo de esclerosis multiple y uveitis (seguimiento minimo, 12 meses). Todos los pacientes fueron tratados con terapia inmunomoduladora (interferon-β o acetato de glatiramero) para controlar el curso de la esclerosis multiple. Los pacientes fueron comparados con ellos mismos antes de iniciar el tratamiento inmunomodulador para valorar la diferencia en los episodios de uveitis. Variable principal de medida: numero de episodios de uveitis con/sin tratamiento inmunomodulador. Resultados Los brotes de uveitis fueron bilaterales en 10 de 13 pacientes (77%). Once pacientes fueron clasificados como uveitis intermedias, 3 pacientes como vasculitis retiniana y un paciente como uveitis posterior. Los pacientes tuvieron una media de 4,15 ± 3,1 episodios de uveitis (rango 1-10) a lo largo del seguimiento (148,6 ± 84,3 meses). Los pacientes bajo tratamiento con interferon-β o acetato de glatiramero mostraron una reduccion significativa de 0,36 episodios de inflamacion intraocular al ano (p = 0,02) comparados con ellos mismos antes de iniciar el tratamiento. Seis pacientes (46%) mostraron efectos secundarios leves asociados al tratamiento inmunomodulador (3 pacientes [23%] sindrome seudogripal; 3 pacientes [23%] rash cutaneo). Conclusiones El interferon-β o acetato de glatiramero podrian ser efectivos en reducir los brotes de inflamacion intraocular en pacientes con uveitis asociada a esclerosis multiple, siendo bien tolerados por la mayoria de los pacientes.

To analyse the role of interferon-β or glatiramer acetate in reducing the inflammatory episodes of intra-ocular inflammation in multiple sclerosis-associated uveitis.A study was conducted on a non-randomised, retrospective case series of 13 patients with proven multiple sclerosis and uveitis (minimum follow-up, 12 months). All patients were given immunomodulatory treatment (interferon-β or glatiramer acetate) to control the course of the multiple sclerosis. Patients were compared to themselves before initiating the treatment, in order to assess the difference in uveitis episodes. The main outcome measurements were the number of uveitis episodes with/without immunomodulatory treatment.Uveitis was bilateral in 10 (77%) out of 13 patients. Intermediate uveitis was observed in 11 patients, retinal vasculitis in 3 patients, and one patient was classified as a posterior uveitis. The patients had a mean of 4.15±3.1 episodes of uveitis (range 1-10) during the follow-up period (148.6±84.3 months). When compared to their pre-treatment status, patients on treatment with interferon-β or glatiramer acetate showed a significant decrease of 0.36 episodes of ocular inflammation per year (P=.02). Mild side effects related to immunomodulatory treatment were observed in 6 (46%) patients, 3 (23%) patients with a flu-like syndrome, and 3 (23%) patients with a skin rash.Interferon β or glatiramer acetate could be effective in reducing the uveitis episodes in patients with multiple sclerosis-associated uveitis, and was well tolerated in most patients.