LAUSR

OBJECTIVE To compare relapse rate of sight threatening non infectious uveitis (NIU) in patients treated with infliximab (IFX) or adalimumab (ADA). DESIGN Observational retrospective multicenter study. SUBJECTS 330 patients (median age of 36 years (IQR 27-54), with 45.2% of men) with sight threatening NIU (i.e. retinal vasculitis and/or macular edema) treated with anti TNF alpha agents [IFX intravenously at 5 mg/kg at week 0, 2, 6 and every 4-6 weeks or ADA subcutaneously at 80 mg then 40 mg every 2 weeks]. METHODS Data were obtained retrospectively from patient's medical records. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Relapse rate, complete response of NIU, corticosteroid sparing effect, safety. RESULTS Main etiologies of uveitis included Behçet's disease (27%), idiopathic juvenile arthritis (5.8%) and sarcoidosis (5.5%). The estimated relapse rate at 6 months after introduction of biological agents was 13% (95% CI 0.009-0.16). IFX was associated with less relapse risk than ADA (HR 0.52 [95% CI 0.36- 0.77], p= 0.001). ADA and IFX were comparable in terms of complete response rate of NIU, and corticosteroid-sparing effect. Behçet's disease was associated with higher odds of complete response (HR: 2.04 [95% CI 1.16 -3.60] p: 0.01] and less relapse rate (HR: 0.53 [95% CI 0.33 -0.85] p: 0.009) than other causes of NIU with anti TNF alpha agents. CONCLUSIONS In sight threatening NIU IFX seem to have lower relapse rate than ADA.