Uveitis in spondyloarthritis patients: Relation to clinical characteristics

Abstract

Aim of the work

To assess the prevalence of uveitis in SpA patients and determine its association with clinical manifestations, laboratorial, radiological, and therapeutic data.

Patients and methods

This work included 81 adult SpA patients. Detailed medical history was taken. Full clinical and ophthalmological examinations were performed.

Results

The mean age of patients was 37.4 ± 9.3 years, 51 males and 30 females with positive family history of SpA in 18.5 %. 22 (27.2 %) had uveitis which was anterior in 18 (81.8 %), posterior in 5 (22.7 %), acute in 15 (68.2 %), unilateral in 15 (68.2 %). Regarding ophthalmology examination, 3 (3.7 %) had cataract, 1 (1.2 %) had glaucoma, 1 (1.2 %) had visual loss and 2 (2.5 %) had ocular surgery. In univariate analysis, there was significant association between uveitis and age, family history, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) > 28 mm/1^sthr, C-reactive protein (CRP) > 11 mg/dl, hemoglobin ≤ 11.2 g/dl, white blood cell count (WBCs) > 7.5 ×10³/mm³, platelets > 345 ×10³/mm³, human leucocytic antigen (HLA-B27) and sacroiliitis. In multivariate analysis, there was significant association between uveitis and age (p = 0.061), ESR > 28 mm/1^sthr (p = 0.023), CRP > 11 mg/dl (p = 0.018), hemoglobin ≤ 11.2 g/dl (p = 0.015), platelets > 345 ×10³/mm³ (p = 0.059) and sacroiliitis (p = 0.024).

Conclusion

Uveitis in patients with SpA is common especially with increase in age. With a positive family history of SpA and/or long disease duration, occurrence of uveitis should not be neglected. Uveitis is related also to inflammatory markers, HLA-B27 and sacroiliitis. Routine screening for uveitis in SpA patients is crucial for better early disease management.