Effects of anti-TNF biologic drugs on uveitis severity in Behçet patients: systematic review and Meta-analysis.

Aim: To investigate effects of anti-TNF biologic drugs on uveitis severity (comparing visual acuity logMAR levels) in Behçet patients.

Methods: Three databases PubMed, Scopus, and the Web of Science were searched for qualified papers focusing on the anti-TNF-α factors treatment in Behçet's disease (BD)-associated uveitis. Studies that were designed pre and post anti-TNF drug treatment, were selected. After determining the search strategy for this study, the relevant data were extracted.

Results: The initial search was performed in the target databases and a total of about 1458 articles were found. Fifteen articles were selected for systematic review and only 12 of them had inclusion criteria for Meta-analysis (with visual acuity data). The mean dose of prednisolone before and after biological treatments was reported in 5 studies (28.56 and 7.56 mg/kg, respectively). Also, the preliminary results indicate a significant reduction in visual acuity logMAR levels (MD=-1.5 IU/L, 95%CI: -2.1, -0.01).

Conclusion: Biological drugs significantly reduce the dose of prednisolone and affect visual acuity values.