RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Uveitis and systemic disease.
JF British Journal of Ophthalmology
JO Br J Ophthalmol
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.
SP 137
OP 141
DO 10.1136/bjo.76.3.137
VO 76
IS 3
A1 A Rothova
A1 H J Buitenhuis
A1 C Meenken
A1 C J Brinkman
A1 A Linssen
A1 C Alberts
A1 L Luyendijk
A1 A Kijlstra
YR 1992
UL http://bjo.bmj.com/content/76/3/137.abstract
AB A prospective study was conducted of 865 patients with uveitis to determine the frequency of associated systemic diseases and to assess the value of limited laboratory screening of these patients. All patients underwent a standard diagnostic protocol followed--when indicated--by special tests and procedures performed in order of likelihood ('tailored approach'). For 628 patients (73%) a specific diagnosis was established based on history, ophthalmologic examination, and laboratory and radiographic studies. A definite association with systemic disease was determined for 220 patients (26%). A relationship with a subclinical systemic disorder could be presumed in 201 cases (23%) and a well-established clinical uveitis entity without a recognisable systemic disorder was present in 207 cases (24%). For 237 patients (27%) a diagnosis could not be determined. The most frequently observed systemic diseases were sarcoidosis (7%) and HLA-B27-associated seronegative spondylarthropathies (6%). Presumed or definite toxoplasmosis was encountered in 10% of cases. HLA-B27-associated acute anterior uveitis was the most common clinical entity (17%). In the majority of cases the presence of a systemic disease was not suspected prior to eye involvement and was only recognised after the subsequent diagnostic procedures.