RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Non-infectious uveitis is often associated with systemic diseases severe enough to require corticosteroids (CS) and immunosuppressive drugs, which have potential serious side effects. METHODS: 28 patients with non-infectious uveitis were referred by the ophthalmologist. RESULTS: A systemic disease was found in 17/28 patients (60%): sarcoidosis in 11, spondylarthropathy in 3, Behcet's disease in 2, Crohn's disease in 1 patient. Eighteen patients received CS, 21 patients received immunosuppressive drugs. Most side effects were due to CS treatment: Cushing's syndrome in 12, cataract in 11, glucose intolerance in 3, gastric ulcus in 1, hypertension in 1, osteoporosis in 17, avascular bone necrosis in 3 patients. Prophylaxis or treatment of corticosteroids induced osteoporosis consists in calcium, 500 mg/day and vitamin D 400 IU in most of them with in addition hormone replacement therapy (n = 8) or bisphosphonates (n = 13). CONCLUSION: Sixty percent of patients with severe uveitis had a systemic disease. CS were the most deleterious drugs in spite of bi- or tri-therapy with CS sparing immunosuppressive drugs.
