Titel | Optic Neuritis associated with TNF-α antagonist Adalimumab |
Doel | To report one recently described potential side effect of the TNF-α antagonist adalimumab (Humira) on the optic nerve. |
Methodes | A 48-years-old man came to the emergency room and complained of a subacute inferior visual field defect in the left eye. The clinical exam revealed a normal visual acuity 20/20 in both eyes. Fundoscopic examination showed sectorial swelling of the left optic nerve. Automated perimetry identified a bilateral inferior altitudinal scotoma, deeper in the left eye. Laboratory workup and serologic testing to rule out any cause of anterior optic neuropathy in a young adult were all normal. Gadolinium-enhanced MRI of the brain and optic nerves showed no pathological finding neither did the angiographic sequences. Adalimumab injections were discontinued. A close follow-up of his visual field is now mandatory to confirm the diagnosis. |
Resultaten | This case succeeds to 3 previously described clinical cases of adalimumab-associated optic neuritis in the literature. This new TNF-α antagonist recombining monoclonal antibody, approved in 2003 by the FDA, appears to be responsible of optic neuropathy, like the other TNF-α antagonist (infliximab and etanercept). The physiopathological mechanism is still unknown but the hypothesis of inducing or precipitating demyelinating events is hardly suggested. |
Conclusie | Ophthalmologists and rheumatologists should be aware of this potential optical side effect when seeing adalimumab-treated patients. A regular ophthalmologic follow-up in these patients is not yet recommended during treatment but could be questionable. |
Naam | DUPONT |
Initialen | G |
Stad | Liège |
Naam | COLLIGNON |
Initialen | N |
Stad | Liège |