Intravenous pulse methylprednisolone in the treatment of uveitis associated with multiple sclerosis

Authors: Wakefield, Denis; Jennings, Angela; McCluskey, Peter J

Source: Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology, Volume 28, Number 2, April 2000 , pp. 103-106(4)

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Abstract:

Purpose: To demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) in the treatment of uveitis in association with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: Uveitis is an unusual manifestation of MS that may be severe, chronic and require systemic immunosuppression therapy. High-dose IVMP has previously been shown to be effective in the treatment of inflammatory eye disease and MS. Eight episodes of uveitis in five patients with MS were treated over a 10-year period in an open, uncontrolled trial. Two patients had chronic anterior uveitis, one patient had bilateral panuveitis and two patients had intermediate uveitis.

Results: All patients responded to IVMP with evidence of a decrease in intraocular inflammatory activity and improved visual acuity (VA) within 2 weeks of commencing treatment. There were no severe ocular or systemic steroid side effects.

Conclusions: Intravenous methylprednisolone is an effective, well-tolerated form of therapy for uveitis in patients with MS.

Keywords: methylprednisolone; multiple sclerosis; uveitis

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1442-9071.2000.00282.x

Affiliations: 1: Laboratory of Ocular Immunology, School of Pathology University of New South Wales,

Publication date: 2000-04-01