ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine the risk of ocular complications due to hyperuricaemia in tuberculous patients during therapy. Material and Methods: The study was canducted in chest ward and eye ward BVH, Bahawalpur in collaboration with Department of Chemical Pathology, QMG, Baharvalpur from July 2009 to July 2011 One thousand and fifty tuberculous patients [850 males and 200 females, aged 18 - 70 years] receiving four standard drugs i.e; rifampicin. pyrazynamide, ethambutol, and isoniazid, were included in the study. Approved and fixed dose combination of four drugs of proven bio equivalency was used Serum uric acld and creatinlne levels were estimated on fujly automated chemistry analyzer SELECTRA-XL [Merck Diagnostics] using Merck reagents. before the commencement of treatmenl. Ophthalmic examination of all the patients included in the study was also done by funduscopy and on slit lamp before starling therapy. At 8-1 2 weeks after commencement of therapy serum uric acid and crealinine levels were measured along with fundoscopic and slit lamp examination on all patients under srudy subjects to diagnose any ocular complication by an ophthalmologist. Results: All patients study subjects had hyperuricaernia [mean=9.60 mg/dl +/- 3.4 SD] and ncrmal creatinine. Syrnploms of visual blurring from the corneal haze or foreign body sensation due to epithelial breakdown were found in 86% of study subjects. Uveitis was found in 2 percent of the patients. Scleritis and Episcleritis was seen in 4% of the patients. Corneal deposits of urates were found in 0.5% subjects whiie conjuntiual urate crystals were found in 8.5% of the subjecls Conclucian: Hyperuricaemia is an important risk factor for ocular complications and starts almost after 8-12 weeks of cornmcncement of antituberclosis treatment. If it is left undiagnosed, sight-threatening effects can occur