[Systemic Adamantiades-Behçet's disease: adverse effects of an otherwise successful therapy with interferon-α-2a]

Dtsch Med Wochenschr. 2015 Jan;140(2):112-3. doi: 10.1055/s-0040-100438. Epub 2015 Jan 22.
[Article in German]

Abstract

Background: Adamantiades-Behçet's disease is an immune-mediated vasculitis with relapsing course. It is characterised by the classic clinical trias of oral aphthous ulcers, genital ulcers and uveitis.

History and findings: A 37-year-old woman suffered from systemic Adamantiades-Behçet disease with recurrent uveitis, oral ulcers, genital ulcers, arthralgia, erythema nodosum and folliculitis.

Course and treatment: Longterm interferon-α-2a (IFNα-2a) led to reduction of the clinical manifestations except for occasional occurrence of oral ulcers. One year after initiation of treatment however, the patient developed symptomatic hyperprolactinemia of unknown etiology.

Conclusion: Even in otherwise successful treatment with IFNα-2a possible side effects and complications of treatment can affect the course. Mastodynia and hyperprolactinemia have not yet been described as potential side effects of IFNα-2a.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / adverse effects
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Behcet Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Behcet Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperprolactinemia / chemically induced*
  • Hyperprolactinemia / diagnosis
  • Hyperprolactinemia / prevention & control
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha / adverse effects*
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use*
  • Mastodynia / chemically induced*
  • Mastodynia / diagnosis
  • Mastodynia / prevention & control
  • Oral Ulcer / chemically induced*
  • Oral Ulcer / diagnosis
  • Oral Ulcer / prevention & control
  • Recombinant Proteins / adverse effects
  • Recombinant Proteins / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Recombinant Proteins