Ocular cicatricial pemphigoid: Methotrexate as an initial treatment?

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the clinical/epidemiological data, the management and the treatments established in patients with Ocular Cicatricial Pemphigoid (OCP) in a Rheumatology Service.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Review of clinical histories of patients with OCP referred by ophthalmology between 2008 and 2019.

RESULTS: In our series of 27 patients, 67% were diagnosed and referred in the last 2 years. Most in Foster stage 1. Of the patients, 18.5% presented associated Sjogren's syndrome, with poor progression: 88.8% received Methotrexate, 74% used it as monotherapy and 66% continued with said treatment up to the end. Eighteen point five percent had to combine or rotate therapies, the drugs used were mycophenolate, azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, sirolimus, etanercept, rituximab: 29% used steroids. Only in 2 eyes was stage progression observed. There were no serious adverse events, and 37% had mild adverse events.

CONCLUSION: Starting immunosuppressive therapy early is essential, methotrexate being a good initial alternative in our experience, and treatment must be escalated in line with disease progression.