Long-term progression of retinal vasculitis in Behcet patients using a fluorescein angiography scoring system

Background To evaluate the long-time progression of retinal vasculitis in Behcet patients using the fluorescein angiography (FA) scoring system. Methods Retrospective study was conducted for 71 eyes of 43 patients who met the study criteria. All patients completed at least 2 years of follow-up. FA was taken during the periods of active retinal vasculitis and the quiescent phase, and analyzed using a FA scoring system. Among nine categories, the four most prevalent FA signs were evaluated: optic disc hyperfluorescence (score 0-3), macular edema (score 0-4), retinal vascular staining and/or leakage (score 0-7), and capillary leakage (score 0-10). Results Mean number of total active inflammations was 2.6 +/- 1.5 times during mean 55.0 +/- 20.0 months. Mean scores at the first active inflammation were 1.8 +/- 1.0 for optic disc hyperfluorescence, 2.4 +/- 1.0 for macular edema, 5.3 +/- 2.1 for retinal vascular staining and/or leakage, and 5.8 +/- 3.2 for capillary leakage. Mean total FA score was 17.4 +/- 6.8. Mean scores at the first quiescent phase were 0.6 +/- 0.4 for optic disc hyperfluorescence, 1.1 +/- 1.2 for macular edema, 3.8 +/- 1.9 for retinal vascular staining and/or leakage, and 3.5 +/- 3.5 for capillary leakage. Mean total FA score was 9.1 +/- 5.0. Mean scores for each active inflammation and quiescent phase were not significantly changed, and mean FA scores were significantly reduced in quiescent phase (P=0.003 for optic disc hyperfluorescence, P=0.005 for macular leakage, P=0.010 for retinal vascular staining and/or leakage, P=0.008 for capillary leakage, and P=0.018 for total FA score; paired t-test). Conclusions Retinal vasculitis of Behcet patients did not significantly progress during long-term follow-up.