Orbital inflammatory disease in a primarily black patient population.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to characterize orbital inflammatory disease (OID) in a primarily Black patient population, examining their demographics, presentations, workup, treatment, and outcome.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed from January 2005 to June 2022 at two academic institutions in Brooklyn, NY. Patients included met criteria for one of the following OID conditions: non-specific orbital inflammation; nonbacterial dacryoadenitis; Tolosa-Hunt; orbital myositis; definite, possible, or probable IgG4-related ophthalmic disease; and sclerosing orbital inflammation. Data reviewed included orbital inflammatory labs, imaging, pathology, and treatment. Treatment was considered successful if a patient had complete resolution of symptoms.

Results: Thirty-nine patients met criteria for this study. 35.9% were diagnosed with dacryoadenitis, 28.2% with NSOI, 12.8% with myositis, 5.1% with possible IgG-ROD, 7.7% with probable IgG4-ROD, 7.7% with Tolosa Hunt, and 2.6% with sclerosing OI. 91% were started on steroids; 12.8% required transition to steroid-sparing therapy. 85% had a successful outcome with a resolution of symptoms.

Conclusions: This study characterizes OID in a Black patient population and compares it to prior studies done on OID. Research on underrepresented patient populations is needed to understand differences in disease presentation and improve patient outcomes.