<b>Effectiveness of Kampo Medicine for Beh</b><b>ç</b><b>et's Disease with Uveitis </b> / 日本東洋医学雑誌

ABSTRACT

[Objectives] To investigate the long-term effect of Kampo medicine on the ocular manifestations of Behçet's disease based on 30-years of experience.<br>[Patients] The number of patients who consulted Yamamoto Eye Clinic on Kampo medicine over a 30-year period was 24, and we investigated and reviewed these patients.<br>[Results] Although 11 patients discontinued treatment within a few months and 2 patients left our clinic after a short time, we were able to continue Kampo treatment in 11 patients for more than 10 years, with the longest period being 26 years. Consequently, 8 patients recovered their visual acuity.<br>[Discussion] Our retrospective study indicates that continuous treatment using Kampo medicine reduces the frequency of uveitis attacks and disease activity. In addition, it may be possible to discontinue Kampo medicine if patients achieve and maintain a better condition despite there being several factors that deteriorate their condition. Our study also indicates the importance of more than 10-years follow up to evaluate the efficacy of any intervention for this chronic disease.<br>[Conclusions] Kampo medicine is effective for preventing the recurrence of uveitis in patients with Behçet's disease.