Perspectives
Standardization of Uveitis Nomenclature for Reporting Clinical Data. Results of the First International Workshop

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Purpose

To begin a process of standardizing the methods for reporting clinical data in the field of uveitis.

Design

Consensus workshop.

Methods

Members of an international working group were surveyed about diagnostic terminology, inflammation grading schema, and outcome measures, and the results used to develop a series of proposals to better standardize the use of these entities. Small groups employed nominal group techniques to achieve consensus on several of these issues.

Results

The group affirmed that an anatomic classification of uveitis should be used as a framework for subsequent work on diagnostic criteria for specific uveitic syndromes and that the classification of uveitis entities should be on the basis of the location of the inflammation and not on the presence of structural complications. Issues regarding the use of the terms “intermediate uveitis,” “pars planitis,” “panuveitis,” and descriptors of the onset and course of the uveitis were addressed. The following were adopted: standardized grading schema for anterior chamber cells, anterior chamber flare, and for vitreous haze; standardized methods of recording structural complications of uveitis; standardized definitions of outcomes, including “inactive” inflammation, “improvement” and “worsening” of the inflammation, and “corticosteroid sparing,” and standardized guidelines for reporting visual acuity outcomes.

Conclusions

A process of standardizing the approach to reporting clinical data in uveitis research has begun, and several terms have been standardized.

Section snippets

Methods

Before the workshop, the meeting organizers discussed possible areas to be addressed by the working group. A survey was developed to determine where there were areas of agreement and where there was a diversity of opinions. The survey instrument was pilot-tested on a small group of participants and revised. It then was sent to the members of the working group, and the responses compiled.

The working group then met for the workshop. At the meeting, the first one-half day was devoted to prepared

Terminology

There was consensus that an anatomic classification of uveitis should be used and should serve as a framework for subsequent work on diagnostic criteria for specific uveitic diagnoses. The IUSG anatomic classification scheme1 (Table 1) was endorsed. Furthermore, it was agreed that the classification of the anatomic location of the uveitis should be on the basis of the site(s) of inflammation and not on the presence of structural complications.

Ambiguities in the IUSG system were addressed. There

Conclusions

The First International Workshop on Standardization of Uveitis Nomenclature (SUN) has produced consensus on several items, beginning the process of developing international standards for reporting clinical data in the field of uveitis. Standardization should provide greater precision and enhance comparability among reports from different groups. Long term, a set of classification criteria for specific uveitic entities, completion of the process of standardizing the grading of inflammation, and

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  • Cited by (0)

    A listing of members of The Standardization of Uveitis Nomenclature (SUN) Working Group appears in the Appendix.

    Supported by the American Uveitis Society and by an unrestricted grant from Centocor, Inc, Malvern, Pennsylvania, USA.

    [email protected]

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