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Volume 143, Issue 5, Pages 840-846.e2 (May 2007)


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Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis-Associated Uveitis: Incidence of Ocular Complications and Visual Acuity Loss

Jennifer E. ThorneacCorresponding Author Informationemail address, Fasika Woretaa, Sanjay R. Kedhara, James P. Dunna, Douglas A. Jabsabc

Accepted 12 January 2007. published online 28 February 2007.

Purpose

To estimate the incidences of ocular complications and vision loss in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)-associated uveitis, to describe risk factors for vision loss, and to describe the association between therapy and complications and vision loss.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods

setting: Single-center, academic practice. study population: A total of 75 patients with JIA-associated uveitis evaluated between July 1984 and August 2005. procedures: Clinical data on these patients were analyzed. outcome measures: Occurrence of ocular complications and visions of 20/50 or worse and 20/200 or worse.

Results

Over a median follow-up of three years, the incidence of any ocular complication was 0.33/eye-year (EY). Rates of vision loss to 20/50 or worse and 20/200 or worse were 0.10/EY and 0.08/EY, respectively. Risk factors at presentation for incident vision loss included presence of posterior synechiae, anterior chamber flare ≥ 1+, and abnormal intraocular pressure (IOP). During follow-up, ocular inflammation ≥ 0.5+ cells was associated with an increased risk of visual impairment (relative risk [RR] = 2.02, P = .006) and of blindness (RR = 2.99, P = .03). Immunosuppressive drug therapy reduced the risk of hypotony by 74% (P = .002), epiretinal membrane formation by 86% (P = .05), and blindness in the better eye by 60% (P = .04).

Conclusions

Incident vision loss and complications were common. Presence of posterior synechiae, anterior chamber flare ≥ 1+, and abnormal IOP at presentation were associated with vision loss during follow-up. Use of immunosuppressive drugs reduced the risk of some ocular complications and of blindness in the better-seeing eye.

a Department of Ophthalmology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland

b Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland

c Department of Epidemiology, Center for Clinical Trials, The Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland.

Corresponding Author InformationInquiries to Jennifer E. Thorne, Wilmer Eye Institute, 550 North Broadway, Suite 700, Baltimore, MD 21205

PII: S0002-9394(07)00103-1

doi:10.1016/j.ajo.2007.01.033


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