Immunomodulatory Therapy for Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Patients as First-Line Therapy

Earlier immunomodulatory treatment is associated with better visual outcomes in a subset of patients with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease

PURPOSE

To evaluate clinical outcomes of first-line immunomodulatory therapy (IMT) and prednisone alone or late IMT in Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study of 152 patients with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease evaluated in a referral uveitis clinic in Chile from 1985 to 2011. Medical records of these patients were reviewed. Demographic data, clinical evaluation, type of treatment, functional outcomes, glucocorticoid (GC) dose and complications were recorded. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify prognostic factors of poor response to GC.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between first-line IMT group and prednisone alone/late IMT group in terms of visual acuity (VA) improvement, complications and GC sparing effect. There was a trend for a higher frequency of systemic adverse effects leading to discontinuation of treatment in patients receiving IMT than in those receiving prednisone (14.6% and 6.5%, respectively). The subgroup of patients with poor response to GC who showed functional improvement had a significantly earlier time to IMT initiation than the patients who had no improvement. We identified following prognostic factors of poor response to GC: VA ≤ 20/200, fundus depigmentation, chronic disease and tinnitus at diagnosis. Patients with a prognostic factor (excluding tinnitus) and VA improvement had an earlier IMT initiation than those who had worse functional outcome.

CONCLUSION

There were no differences in outcomes between first-line IMT and prednisone alone/late IMT in the entire VKH group. However, in a subset of patients, there was a significant better functional outcome with earlier IMT initiation.

Diagnosis and classification of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease

Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease is a systemic autoimmune disorder that affects pigmented tissues of the body, with its most dire manifestations affecting the eyes. This review focuses on the diagnostic criteria of VKH disease, including some information on history, epidemiology, appropriate clinical and classification criteria, etiopathogenesis, treatment and outcomes. Expert review of most relevant literature from the disease's first description to 2013 and correlation with the experience in the care of VKH disease patients at a tertiary Uveitis Service in Brazil gathered over the past 40 years. The clinical manifestations and ancillary assessment of VKH disease have been summarized in the Revised Diagnostic Criteria proposed in 2001 in a manner that allows systematic diagnosis of both acute and chronic patients. It includes the early acute uveitic manifestations (bilateral diffuse choroiditis with bullous serous retinal detachment and optic disk hyperemia), the late ocular manifestations (diffuse fundus depigmentation, nummular depigmented scars, retinal pigment epithelium clumping and/or migration, recurrent or chronic anterior uveitis), besides the extraocular manifestations (neurological/auditory and integumentary). There are two exclusion criteria, i.e. absence of previous ocular penetrating trauma or surgery and any other ocular disease that could be confounded with VKH disease. HLA-DRB1*0405 plays an important role in pathogenesis, rendering carriers more susceptible to disease. The primary ocular pathological feature is a diffuse thickening of the uveal tract in the acute phase. Later on, there may be a compromise of choriocapillaris, retinal pigment epithelium and outer retina, mostly due to an "upstream" effect, with clinical correlates as fundus derangements. Functional tests (electroretinogram and visual field testing) as well as imaging modalities (retinography, fluorescein/indocyanine green angiography, optical coherence tomography and ultrasound) play an important role in diagnosis, severity grading as well as disease monitorization. Though high-dose systemic corticosteroids remain gold-standard therapy, refractory cases may need other agents (cyclosporine A, anti-metabolites and biological agents). In spite of good visual outcomes in the majority of patients, knowledge about disease progression even after the acute phase and its impact on visual function warrant further investigation.

Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease: clinical and demographic characteristics of patients in a specialized eye hospital in Turkey

PURPOSE

To evaluate clinical and demographic features of Vogt-Kayanagi-Harada disease (VKH) disease in Turkish patients and compare them with previously published data.

METHODS

Demographic and clinical features of 32 patients diagnosed as VKH in a tertiary referral center were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

The mean age at presentation was 33.6 ± 10.4 years. Seventy-five percent of the patients were female and 62.5% of the patients presented during the last 2 years. The disease was complete in 31.2%, incomplete in 50%, and probable in 18.8% of the patients. The clinical course was acute in 50%, chronic recurrent in 34.4%, and chronic in 15.6%. The most common findings were bilateral serous retinal detachment ± papillitis in acute cases and retinal pigment epithelial changes of the macula in chronic cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Although rare in Turkey, VKH disease seems to have increased during the last few years. The disease is incomplete and acute in half of the patients and has a quite good visual prognosis.

Prognostic factors for clinical outcomes in patients with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease treated with high-dose corticosteroids

PURPOSE

To determine prognostic factors in patients with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease who were treated with high-dose corticosteroids.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of 87 patients (174 eyes).

RESULTS

At presentation, there were 53 patients with initial-onset acute VKH disease and 34 patients with chronic recurrent VKH disease. Chronic recurrent presentation was significantly associated with more severe anterior segment inflammation at presentation as indicated by presence of mutton-fat keratic precipitates, anterior chamber reaction ≥2+, iris nodules and posterior synechiae (p < 0.001 for all comparisons), less exudative retinal detachment at presentation (p < 0.001), more complications during the follow-up period (p < 0.001) and a worse visual outcome (p < 0.001). The use of immunomodulatory therapy (cyclosporine and mycophenolate mofetil) as first-line therapy significantly reduced the development of complications in the whole study group (p = 0.006) and in initial-onset acute group (p = 0.024) and improved visual outcome in the whole study group (p = 0.004) and in chronic recurrent group (p = 0.024). In the whole study group, final visual acuity of 20/20 was significantly associated with good initial visual acuity of >20/200 [odds ratio = 4.25; 95% Confidence interval (CI) = 1.53-11.89] and age older than 16 years was significantly associated with the development of complications (odds ratio = 3.15; 95% CI = 1.04-9.48).

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic recurrent VKH disease is significantly associated with more severe anterior segment inflammation and less exudative retinal detachment at presentation, more ocular complications and a worse visual outcome than initial-onset acute VKH disease. Use of immunomodulatory therapy significantly improved the clinical outcomes.

The outcomes of mycophenolate mofetil therapy combined with systemic corticosteroids in acute uveitis associated with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease

PURPOSE

To study the effectiveness of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) as first-line therapy combined with systemic corticosteroids in acute uveitis associated with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease. The outcomes in this group were compared with those of another group of patients with VKH disease who were treated with corticosteroid monotherapy or with delayed addition of immunomodulatory therapy.

METHODS

This prospective study included 19 patients (38 eyes) diagnosed with acute uveitis associated with VKH disease.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up period was 27.0 ± 11.1 months (range 16-54 months). Corticosteroid-sparing effect was achieved in all patients. The mean interval between starting treatment and tapering prednisone to 10 mg or less daily was 5.1 ± 1.2 months (range 3-7 months). Ten (53%) patients discontinued treatment without relapse of inflammation. The mean time observed of treatment was 17.3 ± 11.9 months (range 3-41.5 months). Visual acuity of 20/20 was achieved by 38% of the eyes in the corticosteroid group and by 74% in the corticosteroid + MMF group (p < 0.001). Recurrent inflammation of ≥3 times was reduced significantly (p = 0.0383) in the corticosteroid + MMF group (3%) as compared to corticosteroid group (18%). Development of all complications was significantly higher in the corticosteroid group (43%) compared with the corticosteroid + MMF group (8%) (p < 0.001). None of the eyes in the corticosteroid + MMF group developed 'sunset glow fundus'.

CONCLUSIONS

Addition of MMF as first-line therapy to corticosteroids in patients with acute uveitis associated with VKH disease leads to significant reduction in recurrences of uveitis and development of late complications and significantly improves visual outcome.

Rituximab in refractory Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease

Introduction

Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada (VKH) prognosis depends on early recognition and treatment; chronic disease may be developed when either delayed or inadequate treatment is performed, whereas other cases despite correct treatment are refractory to different drugs and also become chronic. We report a case of refractory VKH controlled with rituximab treatment.

Case report

A 41-year-old female with painful visual loss and headache was examined. (VA 0.4 in RE and hand movements (HM) in LE). Retinal examination demonstrated multiple serous retinal detachments in both eyes. High-dose oral steroids were started, followed by progressive tapering of prednisone. New acute anterior and posterior relapses were achieved, and other immunommodulators were progressively added—new high-dose steroid treatment, adalimumab, cyclosporine, and methotrexate—but patient had new anterior and posterior recurrences associated with tinnitus and headache. Thus, an infusion of 1 g of rituximab was administered after 15 months follow-up; the VA was 0.2 in RE and counting fingers in LE. Three additional doses of 1 g each were administered 1, 6, and 16 months later. We have achieved a final VA after 34 months follow-up of 0.2 in RE and HM in LE, with definitive control of inflammation, without acute relapses since rituximab was administered.

Conclusion

After searching PubMed/Medline, this is the first report of VKH disease treated with rituximab. Additional studies are warranted to confirm the efficacy of this new approach for inflammatory control in refractory cases of VKH disease.

Effect of the duration of immunomodulatory therapy on the clinical features of recurrent episodes in Vogt--Koyanagi--Harada disease

PURPOSE

To evaluate the duration of immunomodulatory therapy (corticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs) with regard to the rate of relapses and clinical features (exudative retinal detachment or anterior uveitis) in inflammatory episodes of Vogt--Koyanagi--Harada disease.

METHODS

Data of all 42 patients diagnosed with acute uveitis associated with VKH disease during the period of January 2005 to December 2008 at the Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital or at the Lariboisière Hospital in Paris, France were extracted by chart review.

RESULTS

There were 31 patients (73.8%) with episodes of recurrence and were included in the study. At the first recurrence, 81% (13 patients) of exudative retinal detachments (ERD) were associated with an initial immunomodulatory treatment conducted ≤6 months (3.76 months ± 2.67). Conversely, an initial treatment duration of >6 months was associated with anterior uveitis signs for 66% of patients (eight patients) with anterior first recurrence (p = 0.0061). On second episode of recurrence, 75% of patients (three patients) who developed exudative retinal detachment had been managed by immunomodulatory therapy for ≤6 months with the total duration of immunomodulatory treatment ≤6 months during previous inflammatory episodes. Conversely, all 16 patients who presented anterior uveitis with additional manifestations (optic disc oedema, macular oedema, vitritis and/or 'Sunset glow' fundus) have been treated for more than 6 months or treated during the initial occurrence lasting more than 9 months (p = 0.0035).

CONCLUSIONS

The duration of systemic corticosteroids (and/or immunosuppressive drug therapy) for ≤6 months at first and second recurrence was associated with features of further exudative retinal detachment instead of anterior uveitis in VKH disease.

Vogt-koyanagi-harada syndrome

PURPOSE

Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome is a bilateral, chronic, diffuse granulomatous panuveitis frequently associated with neurological, auditory, and integumentary manifestations. It is also one of the most common forms of uveitis among pigmented races including Chinese patients.

METHODS

This article reviews the current developments of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome, including epidemiology, etiology, clinical features, observational techniques, genetics, treatment, and prognosis.

RESULTS

Increasing reports have been published to describe the clinical features of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome in various ethnic populations from different parts of the world. In spite of tremendous progress in laboratory and clinical research, the etiology of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome is still not completely known. Numerous studies indicate an autoimmune nature for this disease. A recent study has shown that Th17, a new subset of T cell, plays an important role in the initiation and maintenance of this disease. Early and aggressive systemic corticosteroids are still the mainstay of initial therapy for Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome. However, nonsteroid immunomodulatory therapy, including cyclosporine, chlorambucil, cyclophosphamide, and azathioprine have brought out encouraging results. Improved visual outcomes in patients with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome in recent years have been reported when compared with decades ago, presumably due to the more aggressive use of immunosuppressive agents.

CONCLUSION

Although the prognosis for VKH syndrome was greatly improved, future prospective, controlled, multi-center studies are needed to determine the optimal treatment regime for this disease. The IL17/23 pathway may provide a novel therapeutic target to control inflammation in VKH syndrome.

The use of low-dose azathioprine in patients with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease

PURPOSE

To evaluate treatment outcomes with low-dose azathioprine in Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease patients.

DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

METHODS

Medical records of consecutive patients with VKH disease were reviewed. Azathioprine was administered in cases with corticosteroid intolerance or uncontrolled inflammation. Corticosteroid sparing effect, visual acuity, corticosteroid dose, and complication rates were evaluated.

RESULTS

Sixteen of 34 VKH patients included in this study underwent azathioprine therapy with systemic corticosteroid. Six patients received azathioprine in the acute uveitic phase and 10 patients in the chronic recurrent phase. A corticosteroid sparing effect was achieved in 86.5% of patients given azathioprine in the acute uveitic phase and 90.0% of patients given in the chronic recurrent phase. Median time to corticosteroid sparing effect was 3.5 months. Twelve of 16 patients showed improved activity in 1 month after initiation of azathioprine therapy.

CONCLUSION

Low-dose azathioprine therapy may be effective as corticosteroid sparing agent in VKH disease.

Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome in children: report of a case and review of the literature

This article reviews the therapeutic approaches in children with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) syndrome, and reports on a 9-year-old girl with progressive visual loss due to VKH syndrome in spite of treatment. In previous reports, corticosteroids were found to be the most effective agents in the treatment of VKH syndrome, while combination therapies with cyclosporine, methotrexate, or azathioprine were used with favorable results in refractory cases. In the current case, none of the treatments sufficiently stabilized the vision, but triple combination of corticosteroids, cyclosporine, and methotrexate suppressed the relapses of intraocular inflammation. Treatment of children with VKH syndrome is challenging. Various treatment modalities have been reported with various responses, but there is still no definite treatment regimen, and the treatment is usually individualized in pediatric VKH cases.

The spectrum of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease in Tunisia, North Africa

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the clinical profile of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease in Tunisia, North Africa.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 49 patients diagnosed with VKH disease at the Department of Ophthalmology of Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, Monastir, Tunisia, between January 1994 and September 2005.

RESULTS

Of all the uveitis cases diagnosed during the study period, VKH disease was the fourth most commonly occurring type (7.4%). Thirty-two patients (65.3%) were female, and 17 patients (34.7%) were male. The mean age at disease onset was 35 years (range: 16-54 years). The majority of patients (51%) had probable VKH disease, followed by incomplete type (47%); only 2% had the complete type. At presentation, 47 patients (96%) had bilateral ocular involvement. Clinical presentation was a panuveitis in 25 patients (51%) and a posterior uveitis in 24 patients (49%). Visual acuity (VA) at presentation ranged from less than 20/200 (40.8%) to more than 20/40 (28.5%). All patients were treated with systemic corticosteroids for 2-19 months (mean: 10.5 months). Four patients (8%) were treated with cyclosporin because of serious systemic side effects of corticosteroids. Complications included cataract in 18 eyes (33.9%), glaucoma in nine eyes (16.96%) and choroidal neovascularization in one eye (1%). Fifty-eight eyes (59%) had a final VA of 20/40 or better. Factors associated with a poor VA at the final follow-up were the presence of a poor VA at presentation (P = 0.02), the occurrence of complications (P = 0.001) and/or recurrences (P = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

In Tunisia, VKH disease is a common cause of uveitis that predominantly affects young women. The overwhelming majority (98%) have probable or incomplete VKH disease, presenting as panuveitis or posterior uveitis. More than 50% of patients undergoing treatment with corticosteroids will maintain a VA of 20/40 or better.