Comparison of relapse rates in Behçet’s disease with venous involvement on different doses of azathioprine therapy, a retrospective observational study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate relapse rates in azathioprine (AZA) maintenance therapy at different doses in Behçet's disease (BD) with venous involvement. Clinical records of patients who met the diagnostic criteria of International Study Group (ISG) for BD, were diagnosed with venous involvement of BD for at least 6months and sustained clinical remission with AZA for at least 3months were analyzed retrospectively. The analysis cohort was divided into 2 groups based on AZA dose (Group A: ≥ 2mg/kg/d and Group B: <2mg/kg/d). Relapse was defined as requiring another antirheumatic/immunosuppressive drug or more than dose of 10mg/d of prednisolone. Of 78 patients who were included into the study, there was no significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of age, gender and clinical characteristics. Mean relapse-free survival time was found to be higher in group A compared to group B (111.6±11.2, 95% CI 89.5±133.8 versus 51.5±6.1, 95% CI 39.5±63.4 months). Relapse-free survival rate was less in the group receiving low-dose AZA and shows the importance of effective dose of AZA in maintenance therapy.