Vasculitis & polymyalgia rheumatica
Tocilizumab in Behçet Disease: A Multicenter Study of 30 Patients
Authors' conclusion
TCZ seems to be an effective alternative to anti-TNF agents in treating BD-related uveitis and neurological manifestations.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with refractory Behçet disease (BD) fulfilling the international criteria, treated with tocilizumab (TCZ) at European referral centres; 90% refractory or intolerant to anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) agents
- Participants
- 30 patients
- Outcome
- Clinical response
- Follow-up
- 6 months
Methodological detailssingle-group, European referral centres
- Single-group
- European referral centres
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Overall response (complete or partial)
| Group | Value | Complete responders | Partial responders |
|---|---|---|---|
| TCZ | 83% | 18 (60%) | 7 (23%) |
TCZ
Value83%
Complete responders18 (60%)
Partial responders7 (23%)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Complete response by manifestation
- Uveitis (18/30)
- 67%
- Neurological manifestations (5/30)
- 60%
- Mucocutaneous and/or articular manifestations (7/30)
- 42%
Median daily prednisone dose · 6 months
- Baseline, median (IQR 10-40) mg/day
- 20
- 6 months, median (IQR 5-13) mg
- 9
- Significant steroid-sparing effect
- P < 0.001
Patients needing concomitant DMARD therapy · 6 months
- Baseline
- 7 (23%)
- 6 months
- 4 (13%)
Safety
Mild to moderate side effects
- Patients with mild to moderate side effects
- 6 (20%)
Serious adverse events (pneumonia, intestinal perforation, and septicemia)
- Patients with serious adverse events
- 3 (10%)
- Serious adverse events requiring therapy discontinuation (cases)
- 2
Original publication
Tocilizumab in Behçet Disease: A Multicenter Study of 30 Patients. J Rheumatol. Published 1 March 2023. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →