A Mexican study found eyes with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-associated peripheral ulcerative keratitis (PUK) exposed to early immunosuppressive therapy (IMT) were more likely to achieve earlier inflammatory control, fewer recurrences and had better visual outcomes.
Researchers at Tecnológico de Monterrey analysed 52 eyes from 36 patients, with 37 eyes receiving early (within the first four weeks of PUK onset) IMT; leaving 15 as controls. Writing in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, researchers said during follow-up over 41.2+53.3 months, early IMT proved a protective factor, but late RA diagnosis after PUK onset and retarded (≥2 months) control of inflammation were risk factors for PUK recurrence. Late IMT, an unknown diagnosis of RA at first visit and at least one PUK recurrence were risk factors for visual loss.
