Risk factors for uveitis in a Finnish sarcoid population

Purpose To evaluate possible risk factors for uveitis among Finnish sarcoidosis patients. Methods Patient charts of patients with sarcoidosis, with ( n = 97) or without ( n = 255) uveitis, and with a comprehensive eye examination from January 2014 to January 2021 at Tays Eye Centre, Tampere University Hospital, Finland were studied. Results Sarcoidosis patients with uveitis had higher rate of lymphocytopenia (43% vs. 29%, p = 0.041) and lower serum lysozyme levels (2.0 mg/L vs. 2.3 mg/L, p = 0.049; 95% CI, −0.692 to −0.002). Lysozyme level or lymphocytopenia did not have a statistically significant effect on the probability of uveitis in a binary logistic regression analysis. No other differences in the potential risk factors with p ‐values ≤0.05 were found, including bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy, serum angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) levels, sex, age and history of smoking. Conclusion Lymphocytopenia and lower serum lysozyme levels present as possible risk factors for uveitis among patients with sarcoidosis. Systematic measurement of lymphocyte and lysozyme levels in sarcoidosis is needed to further understand their role as potential risk factors.