Clinical and epidemiologic characterization of non-infectious uveitis in a university hospital in Paraguay

Objective: To determine the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with noninfectious uveitis at a university hospital in Paraguay. Methodology: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, retrospective study was performed. Consecutive patients who attended the Ophthalmology Service of the Hospital de Clínicas from January 2020 to October 2021 and who were diagnosed with non-infectious uveitis were included. The variables studied were sex, age, origin, reason for consultation, anatomical classification, clinical course, systemic and ocular associations, and bilaterality. Results: A total of 78 medical records of patients meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were analyzed. Of the patients, 66.7% were female and 42 (53.8%) were from the Central Department. The anterior anatomical location of uveitis was the most frequent (53.9%), followed in decreasing order by panuveitis, posterior uveitis, and intermediate uveitis. Regarding anterior uveitis, 24 patients (57.1%) had unilateral uveitis, 40 (95.2%) were non-granulomatous, 19 (45.2%) presented an acute clinical course, the most frequent reason for consultation was "red and painful eye" with 15 patients (35.7%), the most frequent systemic association was HLA- B27+ in 16 patients (38.1%). As for panuveitis, 13 patients (50%) were associated with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome, and of the latter, two patients were related to rheumatoid arthritis. Conclusion: The clinical and epidemiological patterns observed in this study were largely consistent with those reported in the literature. Notably, the most frequent associations differed from those reported in the literature: HLA-B27+ for anterior uveitis, rheumatoid arthritis for posterior uveitis, and a significant percentage of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome among panuveitis cases.

Objetivo: Determinar las características clínicas y epidemiológicas de los pacientes con uveítis no infecciosas que acuden a un hospital universitario de Paraguay. Metodología: Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo de corte transversal, retrospectivo. Se incluyeron casos consecutivos de pacientes que acudieron al Servicio de Oftalmología del Hospital de Clínicas de enero del 2020 a octubre del 2021 y que fueron diagnosticados con uveítis no infecciosa. Las variables estudiadas fueron sexo, edad, procedencia, motivo de consulta, clasificación anatómica, curso clínico, asociación sistémica y ocular y bilateralidad. Resultados: Se revisó los expedientes de 78 pacientes, el 66,7% fue de sexo femenino y 42 pacientes (53,8%) procedían del departamento Central. La localización anatómica anterior de la uveítis fue la más frecuente (53,9%), seguida en orden decreciente por la panuveítis, la posterior y la intermedia. Respecto a las uveítis anteriores, en 24 pacientes (57,1%) fueron unilaterales, en 40 (95,2%) no granulomatosas, 19 (45,2%) presentaron un curso clínico agudo, el motivo de consulta más frecuente fue "ojo rojo y doloroso" con 15 pacientes (35,7%), la asociación sistémica más frecuente fue HLA- B27+ en 16 pacientes (38,1%). En cuanto, a las panuveítis, 13 pacientes (50%) se asociaron con síndrome de Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada y de las posteriores 2 pacientes relacionados a Artritis reumatoidea. Conclusión: El patrón clínico y epidemiológico observado en este estudio es en su mayor parte similar al observado en la mayoría de las series encontradas en la literatura. Llaman la atención en este estudio que las asociaciones más frecuentes son diferentes de los reportados en la literatura: de la anterior, el HLA-B27+; de la posterior, la artritis reumatoidea; y que entre las panuveítis se observa un gran porcentaje de síndrome de Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada.

Treatment of noninfectious uveitis / Tratamento das uveítes não-infecciosas

ABSTRACT Uveitis is a broad term that refers to a large group of eye disorders categorized by intraocular inflammation, a leading cause of visual impairment. Historically, treatment of noninfectious uveitis has depended on corticosteroid drugs. Owing to the myriad of side effects caused by corticosteroids, immunomodulatory therapy has become the preferred treatment for chronic noninfectious intraocular inflammation. Recently, biological response modifiers have established a new era in uveitis therapy, with the range of targets continuing to expand. In this review, we aimed to convey up-to-date information on the treatment of noninfectious uveitis to the general ophthalmologist.

RESUMO Uveíte é um termo amplo utilizado para denominar várias desordens categorizadas como inflamação intraocular, uma causa importante de deficiência visual. Historicamente, o tratamento das uveítes não infecciosas baseou-se no uso de corticosteróides. Devido aos diversos efeitos colaterais do uso de corticosteróides a longo prazo, a terapia imunomoduladora é indicada no tratamento das uveítes não infecciosas crônicas. A introdução dos medicamentos biológicos estabeleceu uma nova era no tratamento das uveítes, com constante desenvolvimento de novas drogas. O objetivo desta revisão é trazer informações atuais sobre tratamento das uveítes não infecciosas para a prática clínica do oftalmologista geral.

Recomendaciones pediátricas para el manejo de la uveítis no infecciosa en Costa Rica / Pediatric recommendations for the management of non-infectious uveitis in Costa Rica

Resumen Justificación: La uveítis idiopática y la asociada a artritis idiopática juvenil son condiciones oculares que llevan a deterioro visual. En Costa Rica, la incidencia en pediatría se desconoce; aunque existe una clínica especializada en el Hospital Nacional de Niños para el manejo de estas patologías, no hay guías ni recomendaciones de manejo que hayan sido publicadas. Objetivos: Resumir las recomendaciones de manejo vigentes para uveítis no infecciosas y ofrecer una guía adaptada a la realidad costarricense, específicamente para población pediátrica. Métodos: Se efectuó una revisión no sistemática de bibliografía médica indexada en las plataformas PubMed y Scielo, sobre el diagnóstico y manejo de uveítis no infecciosa orientado a población pediátrica y en artritis idiopática juvenil. Se revisaron las guías recomendadas en Europa y se ajustaron a lo que se realiza en la Clínica de Uveítis del Hospital Nacional de Niños. Conclusiones: Se realiza una propuesta de manejo que incluye una valoración oftalmológica oportuna, diagnóstico certero, y tratamiento temprano y agresivo para prevención de complicaciones y minimizar secuelas.

Summary Importance: Idiopathic uveitis and that associated with juvenile idiopathic arthritis are ocular conditions that lead to visual impairment. In Costa Rica, the incidence in pediatric population is unknown; although there is a specialized clinic at the National Children's Hospital for the management of these pathologies, there are no guidelines or recommendations published in our country. Aims: To summarize the current management recommendations for non-infectious uveitis and offer a guide adapted to the Costa Rican reality, specifically for the pediatric population. Methods: A non-systematic review of indexed medical literature on PubMed and Scielo platforms was carried out on the diagnosis and management of non-infectious uveitis aimed to pediatric patients and in juvenile idiopathic arthritis. The recommended guidelines in Europe were reviewed and adjusted to what is done at the Uveitis Clinic of the National Children's Hospital. Conclusions: A management proposal is made that includes a timely ophthalmological evaluation, accurate diagnosis; early and aggressive treatment to prevent complications and minimize sequelae

Intravitreal therapeutic agents in noninfectious uveitic macular edema

The management of uveitis is challenging for most treating ophthalmologists. The treatment of uveitis often requires the use of high dose of systemic corticosteroid and immunosuppressive agents, which are almost always associated with potential side effects. Intravitreal medications have become a popular mode of drug administration in uveitis patients as they provide high volume of drug to the target tissues, eliminating the risk of systemic toxicity. There has been tremendous development in the intravitreal therapeutics over the last few years. With the advent of sustained-release technique, increasing patient compliance, biodegradable nature of the implant, and introduction of newer agents with better safety profile, the intravitreal medications have become more popular in recent years. This review presents evidence in the scientific literature supporting the use of intravitreal medications for the management of uveitis and its complications.

Application of cyclosporine A in noninfectious uveitis / 眼科新进展

Uveitis is a kind of refractory blinding eye diseases.Noninfectious uveitis is an important part of uveitis,which is thought to be an autoimmune disease,and systemic immunosuppressive therapy is usually required to prevent visual loss.As a selective T-cell inhibitor,cyclosporine A is one of the most widely used immunosuppressants,and has obvious therapeutic effect on many kinds of uveitis.Cyclosporine A combined with glucocorticoid,other immunosuppressants or biological agents can improve the therapeutic effect and reduce the side effects.Recently,the inhibitory effect on glucocorticoid-resistant Th17 cells and topical application of cyclosporine A,show its advantage and potential in the treatment of noninfectious uveitis.