Efficacy of abatacept in juvenile idiopathic arthritis related uveitis

Methods 10 children aged 4 – 12 years with anterior uveitis associated with JIA were treated by Abatacept in standard infusions pattern and doses. Indication for using Abataceptwas ineffectiveness of standard therapy of arthritis and/or uveitis. 6 patients were suffering from polyarticular variants, 4 – oligoarticular JIA. Abatacept was combined with Methotrexate in 9, Sulfasalazin in 1 and lowdose steroids in 4 children. 3 patients were switched to Abatacept from Infliximab due to non-efficacy, 7 received abatacept as a first line biologic. 9 patients had bilateral eye involvement. At the administration of Abatacept severe inflammation was seen in 1, moderate in 7, mild in 2 of the cases. Follow up period ranged from 3 to 11 month (mean 7.6). The main outcome measure was the degree of inflammation.