Posterior segment inflammatory outcomes assessed using fluorescein angiography in the STOP-UVEITIS study

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Immunology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Fluorescein angiography (FA) is commonly used for non-infectious uveitis (NIU) but lacks objective posterior segment inflammatory outcome assessment.
• This study introduces a semi-quantitative FA scoring system for evaluating inflammatory changes in the posterior segment of the eye.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess posterior segment inflammatory outcomes in non-infectious uveitis (NIU) patients treated with two different doses of intravenous tocilizumab (TCZ).
• To evaluate the reliability of a semi-quantitative FA scoring system for measuring treatment efficacy in NIU.

Main Methods:

• A randomized, multi-center clinical trial (STOP-Uveitis) involving 37 NIU patients.
• Patients received either 4 mg/kg or 8 mg/kg of intravenous TCZ every 4 weeks for 6 months.
• Posterior segment inflammation was assessed using a semi-quantitative FA scoring system at baseline and 6 months.

Main Results:

• Statistically significant reductions in FA inflammatory scores were observed in both TCZ dosage groups (p < 0.05).
• No significant difference in efficacy was found between the 4 mg/kg and 8 mg/kg TCZ groups (p = 0.351).

Conclusions:

• Intravenous tocilizumab, at both 4 mg/kg and 8 mg/kg doses, effectively improves posterior segment inflammation in NIU.
• The semi-quantitative FA scoring system demonstrates reliability for assessing posterior segment inflammation in NIU patients.