Effects of anti-TNF biologic drugs on uveitis severity in Behçet patients: systematic review and Meta-analysis

● AIM: To investigate effects of anti-TNF biologic drugs on
uveitis severity (comparing visual acuity logMAR levels) in
Behçet patients.
● METHODS: Three databases PubMed, Scopus, and
the Web of Science were searched for qualified papers
focusing on the anti-TNF-α factors treatment in Behçet’s
disease (BD)-associated uveitis. Studies that were designed
pre and post anti-TNF drug treatment, were selected. After
determining the search strategy for this study, the relevant
data were extracted.
● RESULTS: The initial search was performed in the target
databases and a total of about 1458 articles were found.
Fifteen articles were selected for systematic review and only
12 of them had inclusion criteria for Meta-analysis (with
visual acuity data). The mean dose of prednisolone before
and after biological treatments was reported in 5 studies
(28.56 and 7.56 mg/kg, respectively). Also, the preliminary
results indicate a significant reduction in visual acuity
logMAR levels (MD=-1.5 IU/L, 95%CI: -2.1, -0.01).
● CONCLUSION: Biological drugs significantly reduce the
dose of prednisolone and affect visual acuity values.