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Long-term effects of interferon alpha 2A treatment in Behçet's disease
A Boyvat1, C Sişman-Solak, A Gürler
1Department of Dermatology, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. boyvat@dialup.ankara.edu.tr
Background:
Between May 1995 and April 1996, 20 patients with Behçet's disease were successfully treated with interferon alpha(2a) (IFN-alpha(2a)) 9 million IU/day three times a week and 16 patients with colchicine 1.5 mg/day orally for 3 months.
Objective:
To study the long-term effects of IFN treatment in Behçet's disease.
Methods:
Between the years of 1996 and 1999, the patients were followed up every 3 months or whenever indicated. Retrospective evaluation was performed.
Results:
In 56% of the patients with complete remission or partial remission at the end of IFN-alpha(2a) treatment, long-term remissions ranging from 36 to 48 months were observed.
Conclusion:
IFN-alpha(2a) treatment is an effective treatment modality in Behçet's disease with the advantage of inducing prolonged remissions.