Ophthalmological manifestations in inflammatory bowel disease under the watchful eye of a gastroenterologist from a tertiary centre.

Abstract

Introduction: Ophthalmological manifestations (O-EIM) are one of the extraintestinal manifestations (EIM) of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), although their frequency and potential relationship with disease activity and treatment remain underestimated.

Aim: The aim of this screening questionnaire was to assess the number of EIM, including O-EIM, among patients with IBD.

Material and methods: 436 patients with IBD and 102 patients without IBD were included in this single-centre retrospective study. The questionnaire consisted of questions regarding the frequency of EIM, including confirmed O-EIM and ophthalmological symptoms which had not been confirmed by an ophthalmologist.

Results: EIM were present in 48.6% of cases; O-EIM were declared by 8.9% (uveitis 3.9% + episcleritis 4.8% + scleritis 0.2%) of the IBD patients. About half (50.7%) of them reported ophthalmological symptoms in the last 3 months, but only 30.5% reported consulting with an ophthalmologist. The multivariable logistic regression indicated some coexisting EIM (anaemia and axial/non-axial spondyloarthropathy), the use of certain medications (steroids, thiopurines, and methotrexate), smoking, family history of glaucoma, and spending more time in front of a computer screen as being linked with ophthalmological involvement among IBD patients.

Conclusions: EIM, including O-EIM, are a common problem in patients with IBD. The presence of ophthalmological symptoms and the lack of follow-up with an ophthalmologist make it difficult to correctly estimate the true number of IBD patients experiencing O-EIM. Therefore, patients with IBD should be routinely referred for ophthalmological evaluation.