Purpose
To describe the adulthood uveitis pattern in our geographic area. Recent demographic, environmental and scientific changes could determine uveitis pattern changes that we aim to investigate.
Methods
A cross-sectional study between 1st January 2009 and 30th June 2012 was done. All uveitis patients visited at our institution were included. Exogenous endophthalmitis, age less than 16 years, traumatic or post-surgical uveitis and masquerade syndromes were excluded. Anatomical (IUSG & SUN) and aetiological patterns (by “tailored” tests), evolution time, age, sex, origin, laterality and required treatment were collected for analysis.
Results
From 966 patients, 908 were finally included. Among them, 68% were visited for the first time. Mean incidence and prevalence during the study period were 33.12 cases/105 inhabitants/year and 127.72 cases/105 inh. in adults, respectively. Median age at inclusion was 46 years (16-92) and at first referred symptoms it was 41 years (3-92). Median evolution time of the uveitis at inclusion was 12 months (1day to 75 years). 55% were women, 21% foreign-born and 41% bilateral cases. Anatomic pattern showed 473 (52%) anterior uveitis, 210 (23%) posterior, 149 (16%) panuveitis and 76 (8%) intermediate uveitis (IU). By aetiology, 26% were unclassifiable, 28% infectious, 24% associated to systemic immune diseases and 22% ocular specific syndromes. Among classified, herpes virus (12%), toxoplasma (7%), Behçet (6%), ankylosing spondylitis (6%), HLA-B27 without extra-ocular involvement (6%), tuberculosis-related (5%) and Birdshot (4%), were the most common causes. Systemic treatment with immunosuppressants was required in 9% of the patients, with biologics in 9%, and surgery was necessary in 17%.
Conclusions
In our area, 74% of the uveitis cases can be properly classified. Incidence and prevalence are similar to previous reported data in western countries. Although usual causes as herpes or toxo are the most frequent, tuberculosis-related uveitis (5%) and Birdshot chorio-retinopathy (4%) have to be kept in mind in our population.
Keywords: 746 uveitis-clinical/animal model •
463 clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: prevalence/incidence •
557 inflammation