Idiopathic uveitis presents different characteristics and outcome from juvenile idiopathic arthritis- related uveitis

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the clinical features and outcomes of patients with uveitis associated with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and idiopathic uveitis. Methods: This was an observational, retrospective study, conducted in a tertiary center. Patients under 18 years old who experienced at least one episode of uveitis and followed between 2000 and 2019 were included. Results: A total of 82 patients were included, of whom 43 had idiopathic uveitis and 39 had uveitis associated with JIA. Anterior uveitis was the primary site of ocular inflammation (76.8%) and occurred in 24 and 39 patients with idiopathic uveitis and uveitis associated with JIA arthritis, respectively (p=0.02). The complete response to corticotherapy was more frequent in uveitis associated with JIA (p=0.001). Total and partial responses to biological disease modifying antirheumatic drugs were more frequent in uveitis associated with JIA (p=0.025) and idiopathic uveitis (p=0.045), respectively. There were 203 complications: cataracts were more frequently present in idiopathic uveitis (p=0.05), while synechiae was more frequent in uveitis associated with JIA (p=0.02). Conclusion: Idiopathic uveitis and uveitis associated JIA frequently follow a chronic course and an increased risk of visual loss in childhood. The uveitis associated with JIA showed better response to systemic corticotherapy and total response to biologic disease modifying antirheumatic drugs more frequently.

Keywords

• Uveitis
• Arthritis, juvenile
• Eye diseases
• Blindness