A population-based study on uveitis in jra

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1: Clin Exp Rheumatol 1999 Jan-Feb;17(1):119-22

A population-based study on uveitis in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Kotaniemi K, Kaipiainen-Seppanen O, Savolainen A, Karma A.

Rheumatism Foundation Hospital, Heinola, Finland.

OBJECTIVE: To obtain information on the occurrence and characteristics of uveitis in a population-based survey of patients with juvenile rheumatoid

arthritis (JRA). METHODS: The subjects in this study were entitled, under the

nationwide sickness insurance scheme, to receive specially reimbursed medication

for JRA in 5 of the 21 central hospital districts in Finland (population base

about 270,000 children < 16 years of age) in 1980, 1985 and 1990. RESULTS: A total of 114 incident cases (34 boys and 80 girls) satisfied the criteria for

JRA. Uveitis was diagnosed in 18 of these patients (16%). The mean age of

uveitis patients at the diagnosis of JRA was 6.8 years (median 5.4 years) and

the mean interval from the diagnosis of JRA to the detection of uveitis was 2.9

years. Silent (asymptomatic) anterior uveitis was found in 4 boys and 11 girls

and acute anterior uveitis in 2 boys. One girl had marginal corneal ulceration

with mild anterior uveitis. Uveitis was chronic (> 6 months) in 9 cases. Uveal

inflammation was most severe in the 3 children whose uveitis was detected at the

time of the diagnosis of JRA. CONCLUSION: The study provides population-based information on the occurrence and characteristics of uveitis associated with

JRA.

Substances:

HLA-B27 Antigen

Antibodies, Antinuclear

PMID: 10084046 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]