Infliximab-associated retrobulbar optic neuritis

The Complete Success in Refractory Mooren's Ulcer Treated with Infliximab

PURPOSE

To describe the management and outcome of two extremely rare and painful cases of Mooren's ulcer, an idiopathic peripheral autoimmune-associated ulcerative corneal disease.

METHODS

Case report with literature review on the management of ocular inflammation in Mooren's ulcer.

RESULTS

A 47-year-old female and a 76-year-old female presented with progressive bilateral Mooren's ulcer that were refractory to conventional immunosuppressive therapy. Following treatment with infliximab, an anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha, a significant improvement in disease progression was observed, with no corneal thinning or perforation at follow-ups.

CONCLUSION

This case report highlights how infliximab can be effective in cases with Mooren's ulcer refractory to conventional therapies.

Identifying and Treating Ocular Manifestations in Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory skin condition that commonly presents with red, thickened, and scaling plaques. Given the prominent cutaneous manifestations of psoriasis, more subtle ophthalmic findings of the disease may initially go undetected, with the potential for significant ocular morbidity. Associated ocular disease can involve nearly any structure of the eye, with the eyelids most commonly being affected, resulting in relatively common signs and symptoms of ocular surface discomfort. The presence of intraocular inflammation (i.e., uveitis) or retinal involvement carry a heightened risk of vision loss, and are often more difficult to diagnose outside of the ophthalmology clinic. Early detection and treatment of ocular disease can limit morbidity and are critical to the management of these patients, which requires coordination of care between dermatologists and ophthalmologists. The objective of this article was to review the most common ocular conditions that affect psoriatic patients, when to consider referral to an ophthalmologist, and to summarize the adverse ocular effects of current psoriasis treatments.

Infliximab-related Optic Neuritis in a Patient with Crohn's Disease: a Case Report and Literature Review

Purpose: We report a case of optic neuritis related to infliximab treatment in a patient with Crohn’s disease, along with a review of the relevant literature.Case summary: A 22-year-male patient complained of blurred vision in the left eye for 2-3 weeks. His best-corrected visual acuity was 8/20 in the left eye. Relative afferent pupillary defect was detected in the left eye and the pupils were of equal size. There was no pain on ocular movement. The results of slit-lamp and fundus examinations were normal. A visual field test revealed a central to inferior visual field defect in the left eye. Orbit magnetic resonance imaging revealed perineural enhancement of the left optic nerve. He had a 5-year history of Crohn’s disease and had been treated with intravenous infliximab (600 mg every 2 weeks). A diagnosis of retrobulbar optic neuritis associated with infliximab was made. He was infused with high-dose methylprednisolone, which was changed to per oral administration. His visual acuity and visual field defect improved after 3 months.Conclusions: Tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors, such as infliximab, may cause optic neuritis. Therefore, history-taking is important for differential diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Acute orbital inflammation with loss of vision: a paradoxical adverse event associated with infliximab therapy for Crohn's disease

Anti-TNF-α agents (e.g. infliximab, adalimumab, etanercept) are effective management options in various inflammatory and autoimmune diseases (e.g. inflammatory bowel disease). The occurrence during anti-TNF-α agent therapy of a new onset or exacerbation of an inflammatory condition that usually responds to this class of drug has been termed a paradoxical adverse event (PAE). A wide range of ophthalmic PAEs have been reported including uveitis, optic neuritis/neuropathy, scleritis, orbital myositis, retinal vasculitis, and others. The patient reported herein developed a dramatic orbital inflammatory PAE during his infliximab infusions, which manifested as an acute orbital apex syndrome with vision loss. Physicians using this medication should be aware of this serious vision-threatening PAE, and urgent therapy with high dose intravenous corticosteroids may be required.

Association between Optic Neuritis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Population-Based Study

Extraintestinal manifestations are common in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and optic neuritis (ON) is a rare but severe one. This study aimed to evaluate possible factors associated with ON in patients with IBD. Adult patients with IBD who were not with concomitant ON on the index date identified from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) from the years 2000 to 2013 were included. A four-fold matched group was selected using age, sex and year of index date for comparison. All the patients were followed up until the development of ON or the end of the study period. Data of included patients were extracted and analyzed statistically. The mean follow-up time for all patients was 7.13 ± 5.21 years. At the study period conclusion, eight (0.18%) and five (0.003%) patients with and without IBD, respectively, had developed ON (p = 0.001). Adjusted HRs showed that patients with IBD aged between 30 and 39 years, with comorbidities including neuromyelitis optica (NMO), acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and with a higher Charlson Comorbidity Index, had a significantly higher risk of developing ON (all p < 0.005). Among the eight IBD patients who developed ON, only one patient was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, the male gender was slightly dominant, and two (25%) patients received antitumor necrosis factor α (anti-TNF α) treatment for IBD. Patients with IBD have a higher risk of developing ON compared to patients without IBD. ON occurs more frequently in IBD patients aged between 30 and 39 years, with comorbidities including NMO, ADEM and SLE. Other factors besides anti-TNF α treatment for IBD are more likely associated with the development of ON.

Ocular complications of tumour necrosis factor alpha inhibitors

Tumour necrosis factor alpha inhibitors are a relatively recent development and are becoming increasingly common in the management of many chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, ankylosing spondylitis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. However, their ocular side effect profile is incomplete and poorly recognised, with mostly anecdotal cases reported in the literature. In this report we review the literature regarding ocular side effects associated with tumour necrosis factor alpha blockade.

Ocular manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs) of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are numerous and can often involve the eye. This review highlights the ocular complications associated with IBD including the critical role the ophthalmologist can play in the diagnosis of IBD, the pathogenesis of IBD, its ocular complications, and the treatment of ocular inflammation associated with IBD.

RECENT FINDINGS

Polygenic and environmental influences, as well as gut microbial dysbiosis, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of IBD. IBD and its EIMs appear to respond well to TNFα-targeted biologics.

SUMMARY

IBD is thought to be caused by polygenic and environmental influences, including a dysbiotic gut microbiota. It is a systemic immune-mediated disease with varying types of ocular manifestations that can precede, occur simultaneously, or follow intestinal involvement. The diagnosis of IBD can be confused with other seronegative spondyloarthropathies as well as Behçet's disease. Treatment of IBD-associated ocular inflammation can range from corticosteroids to steroid-sparing immunosuppression such as azathioprine or methotrexate. Refractory disease can respond well to TNFα inhibitors.

Optic Neuritis Associated or Not with TNF Antagonists in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Acute optic neuritis [ON] is an inflammatory condition affecting the optic nerve. Clinicians should suspect optic neuritis in cases of painful and rapidly progressive loss of central visual field. This condition may be associated with a multitude of diseases, and mostly with multiple sclerosis [MS] where it may present as an initial symptom. The literature reports that optic neuritis and MS occur in patients with inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] before and after the era of anti-tumour necrosis factor-α [TNFα] drugs. At the present moment, there is little consensus for managing this complication, currently treated with corticosteroids and discontinuation of the causative agents.

METHODS

We collected cases through a retrospective multicentre European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation CONFER [COllaborative Network For Exceptionally Rare case reports] project. We also performed a comprehensive retrospective search of the available literature on this topic.

RESULTS

We report herein 12 new cases of ON, including 10 under anti-TNF therapy, collected through the CONFER project. We also compare characteristics of ON associated or not with anti-TNFα agents.

CONCLUSIONS

The exceptional and current observation of distant family history of MS in 17% of our patients who developed ON, despite the small number and the lack of a control arm, might be an important signal that should be taken into account in our therapeutic strategies in the future.

Bilateral optic neuropathy associated with the tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitor golimumab

A 62-year-old man developed bilateral blurred vision associated with bilateral optic disc swelling shortly after receiving his third dose of the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) inhibitor golimumab, that he took for psoriatic arthritis. An extensive assessment including magnetic resonance imaging, lumbar puncture, and serologies was negative. He was treated with systemic corticosteroids and the golimumab was stopped, after which his vision improved and his disc swelling resolved. We postulate that the bilateral, simultaneous anterior optic neuropathies in this patient were due to golimumab, representing a rare but well-documented serious adverse event associated with TNF-α inhibitors.

Neurological adverse events in patients receiving anti-TNF therapy: a prospective imaging and electrophysiological study

Introduction

The aim was to investigate the frequency of neurological adverse events in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondylarthropathies (SpA) treated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α antagonists.

Methods

Seventy-seven patients eligible for anti-TNFα therapy were evaluated. There were 36 patients with RA, 41 with SpA [24 psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and 17 with ankylosing spondylitis (AS)]. All patients had a complete physical and neurological examination. Brain and cervical spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and neurophysiological tests were performed in all patients before the initiation of anti-TNFα therapy and after a mean of 18 months or when clinical symptoms and signs indicated a neurological disease. Exclusion criteria included hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, heart arrhythmias, atherothrombotic events, vitamin B12 and iron deficiency, head and neck trauma and neurological surgeries.

Results

Two patients did not receive anti-TNFα therapy because brain MRIs at baseline revealed lesions compatible with demyelinating diseases. Thus, 75 patients received anti-TNFα (38 infliximab, 19 adalimumab and 18 etanercept). Three patients developed neurological adverse events. A 35-year-old man with PsA after 8 months of infliximab therapy presented with paresis of the left facial nerve and brain MRI showed demyelinating lesions. Infliximab was discontinued and he was treated with pulses of corticosteroids recovering completely after two months. The second patient was a 45-year-old woman with RA who after 6 months of adalimumab therapy presented with optic neuritis. The third patient was a 50-year-old woman with AS, whom after 25 months of infliximab therapy, presented with tingling and numbness of the lower extremities and neurophysiological tests revealed peripheral neuropathy. In both patients anti-TNF were discontinued and they improved without treatment after 2 months. The rest of our patients showed no symptoms and MRIs showed no abnormalities. The estimated rate of neurological adverse events in patients treated with anti-TNF therapy is 4% (3/75).

Conclusions

Neurological adverse events after anti-TNFα therapy were observed in our patient. Brain MRI and neurophysiological tests are essential tools to discriminate neurological diseases.

Orbital and optic nerve complications of inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Extraintestinal manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can involve the orbit and the optic nerve. Although these manifestations are rare, they can be particularly serious as they can lead to permanent loss of vision. The aim of the review is to present the existing literature on IBD-related optic nerve and orbital complications.

METHODS

A literature search identified the publications reporting on incidence, clinical features and management of IBD patients with optic nerve and orbital manifestations.

RESULTS

Posterior scleritis and orbital inflammatory disease (orbital pseudotumor) are the most commonly encountered entities affecting the structures of the orbit. On the other hand, the optic nerve of IBD patients can be affected by conditions such as optic (demyelinating) neuritis ("retrobulbar" neuritis), or ischaemic optic neuropathy. Other neuro-ophthalmic manifestations that can be encountered in patients with IBD are related to increased intracranial pressure or toxicity secondary to anti tumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) agents.

CONCLUSIONS

IBD-related optic nerve and orbital complications are rare but potentially vision-threatening. Heightened awareness and close cooperation between gastroenterologists and ophthalmologists are warranted.

Demyelination and other neurological adverse events after anti-TNF therapy

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α inhibitors are an essential therapeutic option for several inflammatory diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthropathies and inflammatory bowel diseases. As TNFα antagonists have become increasingly utilized, there have been a number of reports of neurological adverse events in patients receiving anti-TNFα therapy. The frequency of central nervous system adverse events after initiation of anti-TNFα therapy is unknown. However, questions have been raised about a possible causal association. Although several hypotheses have been proposed in an attempt to explain the possible relationship between TNFα antagonist and demyelination, none is considered to be adequate. Thus, in this report we deal with the implication of TNFα in multiple sclerosis and we discuss the possible relationship of TNFα antagonist and demyelinating diseases.

Demyelinating Disease following Anti-TNFa Treatment: A Causal or Coincidental Association? Report of Four Cases and Review of the Literature

Tumor necrosis factor antagonists (anti-TNFa) are an established therapeutic option for several autoimmune and inflammatory bowel diseases. Despite their clinical effectiveness, neurological adverse events have been reported and literature data suggest a potential role of anti-TNFa in the induction of demyelination of the CNS. We present four patients treated with anti-TNFa who developed symptoms suggestive of CNS demyelination. The first patient, a 17-year-old male who received etanercept for psoriatic arthritis for eight months, presented with dysesthesias up to T4 level. The second patient, a 30-year-old male treated with adalimumab for three years due to ankylosing spondylitis, presented with right unilateral tinnitus. The third case, a 47-year-old female, received etanercept for four years because of psoriatic arthritis and developed persistent headache and left-sided face and head numbness. Finally, the fourth patient, a 57-years-old female treated with etanercept for six years due to ankylosing spondylitis, presented with difficulty in speech, swallowing, and ptosis of the right corner of the mouth. In all cases, brain MRI showed lesions suggestive of demyelination, while positive oligoclonal bands were detected in the CSF. Anti-TNFa treatments were discontinued and patients showed clinical improvement with pulsed intravenous corticosteroid therapy. CNS demyelination following anti-TNFa treatment represents a relatively rare but potential serious complication. Close follow-up and MRI monitoring of these patients is mandatory to elucidate whether the clinical manifestations represent adverse events occurring during anti-TNFa therapy or a first demyelinating episode.

Side effects of TNF-α blockers in patients with psoriatic arthritis: evidences from literature studies

Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory rheumatic disorder, which occurs in patients with skin and/or nail psoriasis. In psoriatic arthritis, the importance of biologic mediators modulating inflammatory reaction, such as tumor necrosis factor, and the knowledge on their role in the pathogenesis of psoriatic arthritis influence the therapeutic choices. In the last years, the introduction of biologic drugs has greatly changed the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. In fact, tumor necrosis factor-α blockers demonstrated an effective action in the treatment of both skin and joint manifestations of psoriatic arthritis, but they have some adverse effects. The aim of this review is to revisit the literature data on adverse effects of tumor necrosis factor-α blockers in patients with psoriatic arthritis.

Demyelination during tumour necrosis factor antagonist therapy for psoriasis: a case report and review of the literature

Central nervous system (CNS) demyelination in a patient receiving tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) antagonist therapy in our practice prompted a search of the literature to assess the evidence for a causal relationship between TNF antagonist therapy and demyelination. We summarise clinical data extracted on 65 reported cases of CNS demyelination in patients receiving TNF antagonist therapy and show that the data are consistent with a drug-related aetiology given the temporal relationship between TNF antagonist initiation and symptoms, de-challenge-re-challenge phenomenon and the later age of disease onset compared with sporadic multiple sclerosis. Research on TNF signalling pathways also suggests a plausible causative role of TNF antagonist therapy in demyelination. However to date, controlled trial and pharmacovigilance data do not show an increased risk of demyelination in patients receiving TNF antagonist therapy. These data may be underpowered to exclude such a risk and pooled, collaborative data from multiple registries are warranted. Given the uncertainty in this area, clinicians should adhere to existing clinical guidance advising avoidance of TNF antagonist therapy in patients with a personal or family history of demyelination, and ensure all suitable patients are enrolled in long term safety registries in countries where these are established.

Optic neuritis after infliximab therapy

Demyelinating diseases were described in patients receiving anti-TNF agents. Optic neuritis (ON) induced by TNF blockers was already described in 22 cases in the literature. In this article, the authors report a 53-year-old woman with refractory rheumatoid arthritis that developed neuritis optica after the fourth dose of infliximab and had a good outcome after anti-TNF withdrawal, associated with glucocorticoid treatment. In addition, the previous cases of ON induced by anti-TNF agents were reviewed.

Inflammatory neurological disease in patients treated with tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors

Background: TNF alpha inhibitor (TNFAI) therapy has been associated with inflammatory neurological syndromes.

Objectives: To present 10 new cases of TNFAI associated neurological disease and a review of the literature.

Methods: The design and methods were based on case series collected from Oregon Health & Sciences University and the Department of Veterans Affairs Hospital in Portland, Oregon and PubMed review.

Results: We describe eight demyelinating central nervous system syndromes and two peripheral nervous system syndromes associated with TNFAI therapy. Characteristics from these cases are analyzed with data from 141 additional cases from the literature. Onset was between the ages of 36 and 65 years in 84% of CNS cases, distinguishing TNFAI-associated disease from sporadic multiple sclerosis. Symptoms occurred within one year of TNFAI therapy in 71%. Etanercept therapy was reported in the majority of cases of CNS syndromes and infliximab therapy in the majority of neuromuscular syndromes. Significant disability remained in 67% of cases although 82% had been followed for less than one year.

Conclusions: Our case series and literature review demonstrates an association between TNFAI therapy and inflammatory neurological disease. While a causal relationship is suggested, this remains uncertain. TNFAI-associated neurological syndromes are associated with significant disability and longer follow-up is needed to better determine natural history and evaluate appropriate treatment interventions.

A decade of infliximab: The Austrian evidence based consensus on the safe use of infliximab in inflammatory bowel disease

Infliximab (IFX) has tremendously enriched the therapy of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and other immune mediated diseases. Although the efficacy of IFX was undoubtedly proven during the last decade numerous publications have also caused various safety concerns. To summarize the immense information concerning adverse events and safety issues the Austrian Society of Gastroenterology and Hepatology launched this evidence based consensus on the safe use of IFX which covers the following topics: infusion reactions and immunogenicity, skin reactions, opportunistic infections (including tuberculosis), non-opportunistic infections (bacterial and viral), vaccination, neurological complications, hepatotoxicity, congestive heart failure, haematological side effects, intestinal strictures, stenosis and bowel obstruction (SSO), concomitant medication, malignancy and lymphoma, IFX in the elderly and the young, mortality, fertility, pregnancy and breast feeding. To make the vast amount of information practicable for routine application the consensus was finally condensed into a checklist for a safe use of IFX which consists of two parts: issues to be addressed prior to anti-TNF therapy and issues to be addressed during maintenance. Both parts are further divided into obligatory and facultative items.

Emerging biologics in the treatment of uveitis

The pathogenic mechanisms underlying uveitis syndromes continue to be evaluated using animal models and in the clinical setting. As the complex interactions between ocular immune cells, proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines and cellular adhesion molecules are uncovered, targeted therapies directed against these immune mediators will continue to be developed. Traditional immunosuppressive medications, such as corticosteroids and steroid-sparing immunomodulatory agents, have demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of uveitic syndromes, but side effects and drug toxicities often limit the use of these medications. The biologic agents, a newer class of medications, target specific immune pathways and have demonstrated efficacy in rheumatologic, dermatologic and neurologic conditions. Biologic therapies (e.g., TNF-alpha inhibitors and IL-2 receptor inhibitor) targeting ocular immune cell surface receptors, cytokines and chemokines continue to be developed and have shown promise in the treatment of uveitis and ocular inflammatory diseases. Clinical and basic aspects of monoclonal antibody therapy for uveitis are presented in this review. Additional studies are needed to further evaluate the role of monoclonal antibodies in the therapeutic armamentarium for uveitis.

Neurologic manifestations in inflammatory bowel diseases: current knowledge and novel insights

BACKGROUND

Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), widely known as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), are thought to result from an inappropriate activation of the mucosal immune system driven by intestinal bacterial flora.

METHODS

Although the extraintestinal manifestations of IBD are well documented, the association of IBD with neurologic and neuromuscular involvement is rare and often controversial, with sporadic and conflicting data on its prevalence and spectrum. In addition, a serious number of the latter manifestations may become life-threatening, playing a very important role in disease morbidity. To define the pattern of neurologic involvement in IBD, the most important manifestations in these patients have been reviewed, exploring also their clinical significance.

RESULTS

There is evidence that UC and CD can manifest both in the PNS and CNS. Thrombotic complications are common in IBD patients, but cerebral vascular involvement is rare.

CONCLUSIONS

Neurologic manifestations in IBD patients are more common than previously estimated and may follow a different pattern of involvement in CD and UC. Small numbers of patients currently preclude a better characterization of the clinical spectrum and a better understanding of pathogenesis.

Infliximab and anterior optic neuropathy: case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) agents have been increasingly used to treat patients with Crohn's disease, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and persistent uveitis. We describe a 68-year-old man with Crohn's esophagitis who developed a possible bilateral toxic anterior optic neuropathy during infliximab infusion.

METHODS

This is an observational case report, with review of the PubMed literature from 1977 to present.

RESULTS

This 68-year-old man with a 2-year history of Crohn's esophagitis developed acute bilateral visual loss during his third infliximab infusion. His clinical features and laboratory tests were characteristic for a bilateral anterior optic neuropathy. Only three cases of possible infliximab-associated anterior optic neuropathy have been reported in the literature to date.

CONCLUSION

It is important to consider the possibility of anterior optic neuropathy, in addition to retrobulbar optic neuritis, in patients who experience sudden-onset visual loss while being treated with infliximab.

Infliximab and anterior optic neuropathy: case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) agents have been increasingly used to treat patients with Crohn's disease, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and persistent uveitis. We describe a 68-year-old man with Crohn's esophagitis who developed a possible bilateral toxic anterior optic neuropathy during infliximab infusion.

METHODS

This is an observational case report, with review of the PubMed literature from 1977 to present.

RESULTS

This 68-year-old man with a 2-year history of Crohn's esophagitis developed acute bilateral visual loss during his third infliximab infusion. His clinical features and laboratory tests were characteristic for a bilateral anterior optic neuropathy. Only three cases of possible infliximab-associated anterior optic neuropathy have been reported in the literature to date.

CONCLUSION

It is important to consider the possibility of anterior optic neuropathy, in addition to retrobulbar optic neuritis, in patients who experience sudden-onset visual loss while being treated with infliximab.

Reversible bilateral optic neuritis after Infliximab discontinuation in a patient with Crohn's disease

A relationship between inflammatory bowel disease and multiple sclerosis is supported by a higher than expected coexistence of these diseases among families and individuals. A 32 year-old male with Crohn's disease of the terminal ileum diagnosed 4 years ago and HLA-B27 negative bilateral sacroiliitis diagnosed 2 years ago, was admitted in our hospital because of an acute episode of blurred vision. In addition the patient complained for urine incontinence. Before this admission the patient was administered methylprednisolone and Infliximab induction treatment. During admission the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis-associated bilateral optic neuritis was made and Infliximab was discontinued. The patient was started on therapy with interferon-beta for multiple sclerosis, prednizolone and azathioprine for Crohn's disease and oxybutynin hydrochloride for urine incontinence. After 8 weeks of Infliximab discontinuation patient recovered totally from optic neuritis. This is a rare case of totally reversible bilateral optic neuritis associated with multiple sclerosis in a patient with Crohn's disease and sacroiliitis receiving also Infliximab induction therapy.

A comprehensive review and evaluation of the side effects of the tumor necrosis factor alpha blockers etanercept, infliximab and adalimumab

For more than 5 years, infliximab and etanercept have been utilized to treat rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease. There is therefore much post-approval data on their side effects. A variety of Medline searches were done at the beginning of June 2004 using the terms 'etanercept', 'infliximab' and 'adalimumab' and the words 'lymphoma', 'infection', 'congestive heart failure', 'demyelinating disease', 'lupus', 'antibodies', 'injection site reaction', 'systemic', 'side effects' and 'skin'. Approximately 150 articles were so identified. In addition, FDA and manufacturers' data obtained by internet searches using Google were reviewed. The important side effects that have been most extensively related to TNFalpha blockers include: lymphoma, infections, congestive heart failure, demyelinating disease, a lupus-like syndrome, induction of auto-antibodies, injection site reactions, and systemic side effects. The risk of these side effects is very low. Nevertheless, it is important for clinicians to be aware of these side effects when prescribing therapy.

Retrobulbar optic neuritis associated with infliximab in a patient with Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND AND AIM

: Infliximab is a chimeric human-murine monoclonal antibody with a high affinity and specificity for tumor necrosis factor α, which is nowadays widely used in Crohn's disease. An exacerbation of demyelinating disease as an adverse effect of this treatment is rare. The aim of this study was to discuss the relationship between infliximab and optic neuritis.

CASE REPORT

: We describe a 55-year old man with Crohn's disease who developed retrobulbar optic neuritis of the left eye after the infusion of infliximab. The outcome was favorable after systemic steroid treatment.

CONCLUSION

: Although the relationship between the onset of visual symptoms and the infusion of infliximab may have been coincidental, we believe that this case report underscores the clinical awareness of the possible association, especially in light of the increasing use of this cytokine inhibitor.

Occurrence of demyelinating diseases after anti-TNFα treatment of inflammatory bowel disease: A Danish Crohn Colitis Database study

INTRODUCTION

It remains uncertain whether patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at increased risk of developing demyelinating diseases, primarily multiple sclerosis (MS) and whether the introduction of biologic drugs in the treatment of IBD has altered this risk.

AIM AND METHODS

The aim was to conduct a systematic review of literature on occurrence of demyelinating diseases in IBD patients, to assess a national Danish anti-TNFα treated IBD cohort in order to search for and describe the IBD cases with coexisting demyelinating diseases, and finally to compare the occurrence of MS in the anti-TNFα cohort to the occurrence in the general Danish population. A systematic MEDLINE literature search was conducted, medical files were scrutinized for identification and description of cohort patients with demyelinating disease, and risk of MS was calculated as a standardized morbidity ratio (SMR) using general population data for comparison.

RESULTS

Four studies on the risk of demyelinating diseases in IBD were identified. One study revealed an observed prevalence of MS at onset of IBD at 3.7 times the expected (95% CI, 0.8-10.8). In the Danish anti-TNFα IBD cohort, 4 out of 651 patients developed demyelinating disorders after anti-TNFα treatment. The SMR for developing MS among Danish IBD patients treated with anti-TNFα was 4.2 (95% CI, 0.1-23.0).

CONCLUSION

The literature review revealed an up to four-fold increased risk of demyelinating diseases, in particular MS, in IBD patients in general. The risk of developing MS in the anti-TNFα treated Danish cohort did apparently not exceed this risk.

[Neurological complications of inflammatory bowel disease]

Although ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease have traditionally been considered to be inflammatory diseases limited to the gastrointestinal tract, it has been shown that both pathologies are frequently accompanied by various extraintestinal disorders. There is an increasing evidence that they may also manifest in the nervous system, including the peripheral and the central parts. Although some of these neurological complications have been known for a long time, such as cerebrovascular disease, vasculitis and autoinmune processes including neuropathies and cerebral demyelination, others have been recently described. With the exception of some of this complications such as the thromboembolism, evidence for a casual relationship relies merely on single case reports or case series. In this article, we try to review the existing evidence on neurological manifestations of both variants of inflammatory bowel disease.

Advances in the diagnosis and immunotherapy for ocular inflammatory disease

Significant advances in the diagnosis and therapy for uveitis have been made to improve the quality of care for patients with ocular inflammatory diseases. While traditional ophthalmic examination techniques, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography continue to play a major role in the evaluation of patients with uveitis, the advent of spectral domain optical coherence tomography and fundus autofluorescence into clinical practice provides additional information about disease processes. Polymerase chain reaction and cytokine diagnostics have also continued to play a greater role in the evaluation of patients with inflammatory diseases. The biologic agents, a group of medications that targets cytokines and other soluble mediators of inflammation, have demonstrated promise in targeted immunotherapy for specific uveitic entities. Their ophthalmic indications have continued to expand, improving the therapeutic armentarium of uveitis specialists.

Etanercept associated optic neuropathy

We report the case of a 14-year-old boy who developed optic neuropathy subsequent to the use of etanercept. There have been 15 reported cases of anti-TNF-alpha-associated optic neuropathy to date and their characteristics are reviewed in this report, as well as possible pathophysiologic mechanisms behind such phenomenon. Such cases demonstrate the importance of prompt ophthalmologic evaluation of visual changes in patients being treated with anti-TNF-alpha antagonists.

Central nervous system demyelination associated with etanercept in a 51 years old woman

There are few case reports documenting a new onset of demyelinating processes in patients receiving anti-tumour necrosis factor alpha therapy (anti-TNF alpha) for chronic inflammatory arthropathies. Whether anti-TNF alpha therapy induces new onset demyelination or just exacerbates pre-existing latent multiple sclerosis is not fully understood. We are reporting a 51-year-old woman without a prior history of multiple sclerosis, who developed demyelinating brain lesions three months after starting Etanercept. Her symptoms partially resolved on cessation of the drug. Our case was unusual compared to some previous case reports, as the patient's age at presentation was beyond that for idiopathic multiple sclerosis. This may strengthen the hypothesis of a causal relationship between new onset demyelination and Etanercept; however, exacerbation of pre-existing demyelinating process by Etanercept in this patient still cannot be totally excluded. We recommend doing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain before starting patients on anti-TNF alpha therapy to exclude latent demyelination. In addition, new onset demyelination following anti-TNF alpha therapy should be reported and studied thoroughly as this may yield a significant advancement in our understanding of the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. Long-term follow-up of these cases is also important to determine the long-term prognosis and the rate of relapse of demyelinating process in this group of patients.

Neurologic manifestations of ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) has traditionally been considered to be an inflammatory disease limited to the colonic mucosa. However, since it has been shown that UC is frequently accompanied by various extraintestinal disorders, there is increasing evidence that UC may also manifest in the nervous system. The following review focuses particularly on these possible manifestations of UC, both in the peripheral (PNS), and in the central nervous system (CNS). A systematic literature search according to the MEDLINE database was performed for this purpose. Although a reliable differentiation may clinically not always be possible, three major pathogenic entities can be differentiated: (i) cerebrovascular disease as a consequence of thrombosis and thromboembolism; (ii) systemic and cerebral vasculitis; (iii) probably immune mediated neuropathy and cerebral demyelination. With the exception of thromboembolism and sensorineural hearing loss, evidence for a causal relationship relies merely on single case reports or retrospective case series. Considering the CNS-manifestations, similarities between UC-associated disorders of the white matter and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) are obvious. Epileptic seizures, unspecified encephalopathies and confusional states are most likely epiphenomena that have to be regarded symptomatic rather than as own entities. A prospective study on the neurologic aspects of UC would be very welcome.

Optic neuritis occurring with anti-tumour necrosis factor alpha therapy

OBJECTIVE

Various demyelinating disorders have been reported in association with anti-tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) agents. The objective of this study was to review the occurrence, clinical features and outcome of optic neuritis (ON) during treatment with anti-TNFalpha agents.

METHODS

A PubMed search was conducted to identify literature addressing the potential association between anti-TNFalpha agents and ON, following our experience with a patient having rheumatoid arthritis in whom ON developed while being treated with infliximab.

RESULTS

15 patients including the case presented here with ON in whom the symptoms developed following TNFalpha antagonist therapy were evaluated. Eight of these patients had received infliximab, five had received etanercept and two patients had received adalimumab. Among them, nine patients experienced complete resolution, and two patients had partial resolution, while four patients continued to have symptoms.

DISCUSSION

Patients being treated with a TNFalpha antagonist should be closely monitored for the development of ophthalmological or neurological signs and symptoms. Furthermore, consideration should be given to avoiding such therapies in patients with a history of demyelinating disease. If clinical evaluation leads to the diagnosis of ON, discontinuation of the medication and institution of steroid treatment should be a priority.

Infliximab for severe hidradenitis suppurativa: Transient clinical efficacy in 7 consecutive patients

BACKGROUND

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic and debilitating disorder. Despite its significant prevalence, few reports of therapeutic studies are available. Recent case studies have reported the efficacy of antitumor necrosis factor monoclonal antibodies in treating the condition. In the study presented here, we assessed the safety and efficacy of infliximab in a series of patients with severe HS.

METHODS

We reviewed all consecutive patients with severe HS and treated with infliximab between October 2004 and December 2005. They were evaluated using the Sartorius severity score, a physician and patient overall assessment, and the Skindex-29 quality-of-life index. A substantive response was defined as marked or moderate overall improvement assessed by both physician and patient.

RESULTS

Seven patients were reviewed. All received at least 3 infusions of infliximab (5 mg/kg) in weeks 0, 2, and 6, and 5 patients received a fourth infusion at week 10. At week 6, a substantive improvement was seen in 5 patients. With the other 2 patients, any improvement was minimal or nonexistent. At week 10, there was a substantive response in 2 of the 5 patients. Adverse events occurred in 3 patients: abdominal pain caused by colon cancer, a multifocal motor neuropathy with conduction block, and a severe allergic reaction.

LIMITATIONS

We have reported on only 7 patients. All had severe and chronic disease.

CONCLUSION

The efficacy of infliximab in patients with severe HS seems transient and is associated with significant toxicity. Prospective randomized studies are required to better assess the benefit-risk ratio of antitumor necrosis factor agents for this indication.

Extraintestinal manifestations and complications in inflammatory bowel diseases

Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) that often involve organs other than those of the gastrointestinal tract. These nonintestinal affections are termed extraintestinal symptoms. Differentiating the true extraintestinal manifestations of inflammatory bowel diseases from secondary extraintestinal complications, caused by malnutrition, chronic inflammation or side effects of therapy, may be difficult. This review concentrates on frequency, clinical presentation and therapeutic implications of extraintestinal symptoms in inflammatory bowel diseases. If possible, extraintestinal manifestations are differentiated from extraintestinal complications. Special attention is given to the more recently described sites of involvement; i.e. thromboembolic events, osteoporosis, pulmonary involvement and affection of the central nervous system.

Toxicity of infliximab in the course of treatment of Crohn's disease

Infliximab is a monoclonal antibody directed against the pro-inflammatory mediator TNF-alpha, which was approved in the US in 1998 for treatment-resistant Crohn's disease. Since that time, the indications have dramatically expanded to include rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriasis and most recently, active ulcerative colitis. Although the safety profile in the initial studies was quite favourable, subsequent studies have shown that a small percentage of patients reported severe side effects, including pneumonia, tuberculosis, lymphoma, drug-induced lupus and hepatotoxicity. Although these complications are rare, it is important to properly screen patients for predisposing conditions before beginning treatment. Furthermore, concurrent use of other immunosuppresive agents, such as 6-mercaptopurine, may reduce the incidence of less serious side effects, such as arthralgias, myopathies and other antibody-associated diseases. Since its approval, infliximab has revolutionised the treatment of Crohn's disease and has shown benefit in a variety of other inflammatory conditions, but significant toxicities can occur that necessitate thorough screening protocols and periodic clinical evaluation.

Optic Neuritis with Concurrent Etanercept and Isoniazid Therapy

OBJECTIVE

To report a case of optic neuritis associated with concurrent etanercept and isoniazid therapy.

CASE SUMMARY

A 55-year-old man diagnosed as having rheumatoid arthritis had received treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, sulfasalazine, oral methotrexate, leflunomide, and deflazacort. Four months prior to admission, he had a Disease Activity Score of 6.06; treatment with etanercept was considered. Three months prior to admission, because of evidence of latent tuberculosis, isoniazid 300 mg once daily and pyridoxine 50 mg once daily were prescribed. Treatment with subcutaneous etanercept 25 mg twice weekly was started 5 days after isoniazid was initiated. Two weeks prior to admission, the patient developed blurred vision in his left eye. Ten days later, his vision worsened and he was hospitalized. The visual acuity in both eyes was 0.7, and a campimetric examination was compatible with optic neuritis. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed lesions suggesting demyelinating lesions. The clinical course was consistent with bilateral optic neuritis. Etanercept was stopped, and isoniazid was replaced with rifampin 600 mg once daily. The patient was treated with intravenous methylprednisolone hemisuccinate 1 g/day for 5 days followed by oral prednisolone, resulting in a minor subjective improvement in left eye visual acuity. He then received oral prednisone for 3 weeks, slowly tapering to discontinuation.

DISCUSSION

No physiologic factors could have predisposed this patient to develop optic neuritis. He was not diagnosed with a demyelinating disease or underlying systemic condition. The optic neuritis was unlikely to be an early manifestation of multiple sclerosis based on the clinical course and the negative results of the imaging tests. Furthermore, there was a close temporal correlation between the drug exposure and the onset of symptoms. After discontinuation of etanercept and isoniazid therapy, the patient's general condition improved. Use of the Naranjo probability scale indicated a possible relationship between optic neuritis and combined etanercept–isoniazid therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients initiated on etanercept and isoniazid should be closely monitored for the development of adverse neurologic signs and effects. If optic neuritis is determined, etanercept and isoniazid should be discontinued immediately.

Giant cell arteritis

Patients with a suspected diagnosis of giant cell arteritis (GCA) should be started on high-dose corticosteroid therapy without delay. A temporal artery biopsy should be performed after initiation of therapy to confirm the diagnosis. Patients with acute visual or neurologic symptoms present a neuro-ophthalmic emergency. Therapy should be initiated immediately with high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone sodium succinate and followed by high-dose oral prednisone. Treatment may begin with high-dose oral prednisone in patients without visual or neurologic symptoms. Calcium, vitamin D, and peptic ulcer prophylaxis should accompany steroid therapy, as indicated. The following treatments should be considered for patients with suspected GCA and acute visual or neurologic signs or symptoms: intravenous methylprednisolone sodium succinate (250 mg intravenously every 6 hours) should be given for 3 days, followed by oral prednisone (80 mg per day or 1 mg/kg) for 4 to 6 weeks. Prednisone should then be tapered by 10 mg per day every month. Most patients require 1 year of therapy to avoid relapse. Taper and duration should be modified according to erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, and signs and symptoms of GCA. Rheumatologic consultation and follow-up is often helpful for these patients. For patients with suspected GCA and no acute visual or neurologic signs or symptoms, therapy may begin directly with oral prednisone (80 mg per day or 1 mg/kg) with same taper and duration based on laboratory values and clinical signs and symptoms.