PREVALENCE AND OUTCOME OF UVEITIS IN A REGIONAL COHORT OF PATIENTS WITH JUVENILE RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS

Objective, To determine the prevalence and outcome of chronic uveitis in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). Methods, A retro spective analysis of 760 patients with JRA followed in 4 pediatric rhe umatology centers. Patients with chronic uveitis were identified and t heir medical and ophthalmologic records were reviewed. Results, Sevent y-four patients with uveitis were identified, The prevalence of uveiti s was 9.3%, The mean interval from the onset of JRA to the onset of uv eitis was 21 months, and 90% of the patients who developed uveitis did so within the first 4 years of their disease, Visual complications (s ynechiae, band keratopathy, cataract, or glaucoma) developed in 31% of the patients with uveitis, Complications were more common in patients who presented with uveitis early in the course of their JRA. Complica tions were also more common in antinuclear antibody (ANA) negative tha n in ANA positive patients. Visual loss to 20/50 or worse occurred in only 11% of patients with uveitis, and no patient became blind. Conclu sion, In a very large cohort of patients with JRA, uveitis was uncommo n and poor visual outcomewas rare, Visual complications did not necess arily result in a poor outcome.