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Kathrin Greiner

Publications and source records attributed to Kathrin Greiner.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Validity of using vision-related quality of life as a treatment end point in intermediate and posterior uveitis.

AIM: To evaluate the responsiveness of the Vision core module 1 (VCM1) vision-related quality of life (VR-QOL) questionnaire to changes in visual acuity in patients with posterior and intermediate uveitis and to validate its use as a clinical end point in uveitis. METHODS: Logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity and VR-QOL using the VCM1 questionnaire were prospectively recorded in 37 patients with active posterior segment intraocular inflammation before starting systemic immunosuppression with ciclosporin, tacrolimus or the anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) agent, p55TNFr-Ig, and again 3 months later. Spearman analysis was used to correlate improvements in visual acuity and VR-QOL between baseline and 3 months. RESULTS: The correlation between changes in visual acuity and VR-QOL was moderate to good for the worse eye (r = 0.47, p = 0.003), but poor for the better eye (r = -0.05, p = 0.91). The responsiveness indices effect size and standardised response mean were 0.57 and 0.59, respectively, showing that the VCM1 questionnaire is moderately responsive to immunsosuppressive therapy for active uveitis. CONCLUSION: Changes in VR-QOL measured with the VCM1 questionnaire correlated moderately well with changes in the worse eye visual acuity, suggesting that the VCM1 is a valid instrument for monitoring response to treatment in uveitis.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Interferon-alpha: a key factor in autoimmune disease?

PURPOSE: Interferon (IFN)-alpha is an effective drug for treatment of uveitis in Behçet's disease. This study was undertaken to investigate the mechanism of action of IFN-alpha in the treatment of various types of noninfectious sight-threatening uveitis. METHODS: Eleven patients with refractory uveitis, and 13 healthy individuals were enrolled. The number of circulating plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and their capacity to produce IFN-alpha in culture on stimulation with synthetic oligodinucleotides containing the CpG-motif were studied. Peripheral blood CD4+ T-cell phenotype and activation status were evaluated by flow cytometry at 0, 2, and 8 weeks after treatment for expression of CD69, CD62L, chemokine receptors (CCR4, CXCR3, and CCR5), and intracellular cytokines (TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, and IL-10). RESULTS: All patients experienced a positive clinical response to IFN-alpha treatment. There was no significant difference between patients and control subjects in the number of circulating pDCs, but there was a significant decrease in the capability of patients' pDCs to produce IFN-alpha in response to CpG (P < 0.001). Peripheral blood CD4+ T cells expressed reduced levels of surface CD62L (P < 0.005) as a measure of activation and higher levels of chemokine receptors CXCR3, CCR4, and CCR5 (P < 0.005, P < 0.05, and P < 0.05, respectively); in addition, intracellular T-cell IL-10 levels were increased once the treatment was initiated (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that IFN-alpha may control uveitis by promoting induction of IL-10-producing T-cells, possibly T-regulatory cells. Dysregulation of the T-cell population in patients with uveitis may be associated with a defect in the pDCs' ability to produce IFN-alpha, which can be circumvented with administration of exogenous IFN-alpha.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Cyclosporine vs tacrolimus therapy for posterior and intermediate uveitis.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy and tolerability of tacrolimus and cyclosporine therapy for noninfectious posterior segment intraocular inflammation and to evaluate their effect on peripheral blood CD4(+) T-cell phenotype and activation status. METHODS: Thirty-seven patients who required second-line immunosuppression for posterior segment intraocular inflammation were enrolled in this prospective randomized trial of tacrolimus vs cyclosporine therapy. The main outcome measures were visual acuity, binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy score, adverse effects, and quality of life. In addition, peripheral blood CD4(+) T-cell phenotype and activation status were evaluated by flow cytometry before treatment and at 2, 4, and 12 weeks using CD69, chemokine receptor (CCR4, CCR5, and CXCR3), and intracellular cytokine (tumor necrosis factor alpha, interferon-gamma, and interleukin 10) expression. RESULTS: Thirteen patients (68%) taking tacrolimus and 12 patients (67%) taking cyclosporine responded to treatment. Cyclosporine therapy was associated with a higher incidence of reported adverse effects. Mean arterial pressure and serum cholesterol level were significantly higher at 3 months in the cyclosporine group than the tacrolimus group. No significant difference was detected with regard to effect on quality of life or CD4(+) T-cell phenotype. CONCLUSIONS: Tacrolimus and cyclosporine were similar with regard to efficacy for posterior segment intraocular inflammation, but the results suggested a more favorable safety profile for tacrolimus therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Neutralizing tumor necrosis factor activity leads to remission in patients with refractory noninfectious posterior uveitis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibition with the p55 TNF receptor fusion protein (TNFr-Ig) for severe sight-threatening noninfectious posterior segment intraocular inflammation. METHODS: Seventeen patients with refractory noninfectious posterior segment intraocular inflammation received TNFr-Ig by intravenous infusion in this nonrandomized, open-label, pilot study. The primary outcome measure was logMAR visual acuity. Secondary outcome measures were binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy score, cystoid macular edema, adverse effects, and vision-related (visual core module 1) and health-related (36-Item Short-Form Health Survey) quality of life. RESULTS: Within 1 month of TNFr-Ig therapy, 9 patients (53%) achieved at least a 2-line improvement in visual acuity, 8 (57%) of 14 patients with vitreous haze before treatment achieved an improvement in binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy score to 0, and macular edema resolved in 5 (56%) of 9 affected patients. Twelve (71%) of the patients achieved complete cessation of intraocular inflammation following TNFr-Ig therapy. A reduction in concomitant immunosuppression was possible for 11 patients (65%) following TNFr-Ig therapy. However, all but 1 patient required continuing adjuvant therapy during the response to TNFr-Ig, which had a median duration of 3 months. Adverse effects included mild infusion reactions in 3 patients and transient lymphocytopenia in 2 patients. CONCLUSION: Therapy with TNFr-Ig was safe and effective for treating patients with sight-threatening noninfectious posterior segment intraocular inflammation resistant to conventional immunotherapy, but adjuvant immunosuppression and repeat infusions would be required to maintain long-term remission.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Anti-TNFalpha therapy modulates the phenotype of peripheral blood CD4+ T cells in patients with posterior segment intraocular inflammation.

PURPOSE: Posterior segment intraocular inflammation (PSII) is a putative Th1 CD4+ cell mediated autoimmune disorder. In experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis, neutralization of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha induces suppression of Th1 cells, macrophage activation, and target organ damage. Previous studies implicated an efficacy of anti-TNFalpha therapies in patients with PSII. This study investigated the immunomodulatory effect of anti-TNFalpha therapy to find predictors of effective immunosuppression in PSII. METHODS: Fifteen patients with PSII refractory to conventional immunosuppressive therapy received a single infusion of a recombinant protein generated by fusing the p55 TNFalpha receptor with human IgG1. During 17 treatment periods, visual acuity (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution [logMAR]) was monitored as a response criterion. Phenotype markers of CD4+ T cells were analyzed before and 2, 4, and 12 weeks after therapy. Expression of intracellular cytokines (interferon [IFN]-gamma, interleukin [IL]-10, and TNFalpha) and Th1/Th2-specific chemokine receptors (CXCR3, CCR4, and CCR5) on peripheral blood CD4+ T cells was determined using flow cytometry. RESULTS: The fraction of IL-10-expressing CD4+ T cells was increased during 12 of 17 treatment periods within 2 weeks after treatment. During eight treatment periods, this increase was associated with an improvement of visual acuity of at least 0.2 logMAR within 4 weeks (P = 0.029). The ratio between IL-10- and IFNgamma-expressing CD4+ T cells was significantly increased 2 weeks after therapy (P = 0.015). There was no significant change of CXCR3, CCR4, or CCR5 expression. CONCLUSIONS: Neutralizing TNFalpha activity in PSII increases the fraction of peripheral blood CD4+ T cells expressing IL-10, which correlates with a recovery of visual function.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Atypical end-stage birdshot retinochoroidopathy.

PURPOSE: To describe a patient with birdshot retinochoroidopathy with peripheral pigmentary changes mimicking a pseudo-retinitis pigmentosa fundus. CASE REPORT: A 60-year-old female patient was referred for bilateral uveitis. Fundus examination showed several creamy lesions in the choroid of both eyes. The patient was HLA-A29-positive. A diagnosis of birdshot choroidopathy was made and she was treated with immunosupressive agents. Six years later, a pigmentation of the retina was noted in both eyes, which progressed to a bone-shaped appearance. DISCUSSION: Pigmentary reaction is a common feature of retinal lesions, although it rarely takes on a retinitis pigmentosa-like appearance. Furthermore, birdshot fundus lesions do not usually become highly hyperpigmented even after long-term evolution. This pigmentation may represent one type of the end-stage of birdshot retinochoroidopathy.

Choroid Diseases↗
PubMed2002

Intensive immunosuppression treatment for central retinal vein occlusion in a young adult: a case report.

PURPOSE: To describe a case of severe central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) in a young patient, in whom intensive immunosuppressive therapy improved the clinical outcome. CASE REPORT: A 35-year-old men presented with a first episode of CRVO in his right eye in 1990. Despite corticosteroids and laser treatment, rubeotic glaucoma developed and the eye had to be enucleated. Seven years later, CRVO developed in the fellow eye, with venous tortuosity and haemorrhages. An extensive systemic workup was unremarkable. Corticosteroids failed to control the clinical situation. Cells were seen in the anterior vitreous. Visual acuity decreased to 2/60. Cyclosporine and azathioprine were added, but did not prevent recurrences. Campath-1H treatment was then started and visual acuity improved to 6/36. In November 2000, visual acuity was 6/24 and haemorrhages had cleared. DISCUSSION: Many authors have proposed a role for inflammation in the pathophysiology of CRVO in young patients. However, there is no general agreement on corticosteroid use in these patients. Our case illustrates that, in some settings, high-dose corticosteroids and intensive immunosuppression might be used successfully to preserve vision.

Adult↗