Study designs of evaluations included in the review
Studies, case reports and abstracts. Follow-up ranged from 3 to 18 months in 6 studies, with follow-up not reported in 14 studies.
Specific interventions included in the review
Systemic interferon alfa administered by subcutaneous or intramuscular injections of 3 to 18 x 10(6) units of interferon alfa- 2a or 3 to 5 x 10(6) units of interferon alfa-2b daily or 3 times per week for 1 to 60 months.
Participants included in the review
Patients diagnosed with Adamantiades-Behcet disease. Participants were 44% male and 56% female and had a mean age of 34.6 years (age range 12-60 years).
Outcomes assessed in the review
Outcomes assessed were remission of mucocutaneous, ocular and joint manifestations which were graded into four stages:
1. Complete remission, (disappearance of all manifestations during treatment).
2. Partial remission (greater than 50% decrease in the number, severity, duration, and/or frequency of recurrence of the lesions).
3. Stable disease (less than 50% change in the manifestations).
4. Progressive disease (greater than 50% deterioration of existing manifestations or/and the development of new ones).
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
The authors do not state how the papers were selected for the review, or how many of the reviewers performed the selection.