POS1322 DISCONTINUATION OF LONG-TERM ADALIMUMAB TREATMENT IN PATIENTS WITH JUVENILE IDIOPATHIC ARTHRITIS-ASSOCIATED UVEITIS

Abstract

BackgroundUveitis is the most common extra-articular manifestation of JIA which may lead to sight-threatening ocular complications. Topical corticosteroids are still used in the initial treatment for JIA-associated uveitis. The goal of treatment in these patients should be topical corticosteroid-free remission and prevention of recurrences. The most commonly used corticosteroid-sparing immunomodulatory are TNF-α inhibitors (TNFi), especially adalimumab.Currently, limited data are available about when or how to stop adalimumab when remission of JIA-associated uveitis is presumed.ObjectivesTo evaluate rates of relapse after discontinuation adalimumab in patients with JIA-associated uveitis.MethodsMedical records of 33 patients with JIA-associated uveitis who were successfully treated with adalimumab to a state of topical corticosteroid-free remission and discontinued adalimumab due to a long-term remission were analyzed retrospectively.Remission of uveitis was defined as <1+ cells in the anterior chamber and <1 + vitreous haze grading; relapse was defined as ≥1 cell in the anterior chamber or ≥1 vitreous haze grading [1].ResultsCorticosteroid-sparing control of inflammation was achieved in all patients. Adalimumab was discontinued after 50 (range 12–120) months after initiation of adalimumab. Duration of remission prior to discontinuing adalimumab was 42 (range 6 – 114) months. The mean duration of remission after adalimumab discontinuation was 14 (range 1–59) months. 13 (40%) of patients had flares after less than 12 months after discontinuing adalimumab, 5 (15%) had flares after 12 – 24 months, 15 (45%) had not flared due to 24 months after discontinuation adalimumab and had had a long-term non-biological remission. Disease was successfully controlled in 11(33%) patients with non-biological DMARDs, 22 (66%) patients restarted biological therapy after flares, due to lack of improvement after non-biological DMARDs. All patients in whom biological therapy was reinitiated responded satisfactorily. None of the flared patients didn’t require restarting corticosteroids.ConclusionCorticosteroid-sparing control of inflammation was achieved in all patients. Data from our experience with adalimumab in patients with JIA-associated uveitis suggest that 45 % of patients can be successfully withdrawn from biologics for at least 24 months without disease recurrence.