Long-term effects of interferon alpha 2A treatment in Behcet's disease

Background: Between May 1995 and April 1996, 20 patients with Behcet's dise ase were successfully treated with interferon alpha(2a) (IFN-alpha(2a)) 9 m illion IU/day three times a week and 16 patients with colchicine 1.5 mg/day orally for 3 months. Objective: To study the long-term effects of IFN trea tment in Behcet's disease. Methods: Between the years of 1996 and 1999, the patients were followed up every 3 months or whenever indicated. Retrospect ive evaluation was performed. Results: In 56% of the patients with complete remission or partial remission at the end of IFN-alpha(2a) treatment, long -term remissions ranging from 36 to 48 months were observed. Conclusion: IF N-alpha(2a) treatment is an effective treatment modality in Behcet's diseas e with the advantage of inducing prolonged remissions. Copyright (C) 2000 S . Karger AG, Basel.