Non-Infectious Uveitis in Childhood – Preliminary Results

The purpose of the present study was to extend our knowledge of the occurrence, characteristics, severity and prognosis of uveitis in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). A total of 31 children with autoimmune diseases (usually associated with noninfectious uveitis) or isolated noninfectious uveitis were studied. The most of the cases are children with JIA. The major group of the children with JIA has oligoarthritis (four or less joints are affected). Uveitis was chronic (duration >6 months), the most severe cases being those three, in whom uveitis was detected at the onset of arthritis – 3 children. The most important determinants of associated uveitis are early onset of arthritis (at the age of 2 to 4 years) and antinuclear antibody (ANA) positivity. The condition in most cases was found early in the disease process, in a majority of cases during the first four years from the onset of arthritis. Proportionally uveitis was more frequent in rheumatoid factor-seronegative polyarthritis and oligoarthritis and there is predominance of girls (2.3:1 – girls:boys). There are complications (band keratopathy, cataract, secondary glaucoma) in 25.8% of cases. Clinical remission of arthritis was achieved significantly less frequently in patients with uveitis than in those without. In some patients the treatment of chronic uveitis associated with JIA is difficult, and in such cases the collaboration of ophthalmologists and pediatric rheumatologist is essential in determining the optimal management early in the disease course.