gms | German Medical Science

102. Jahrestagung der DOG

Deutsche Ophthalmologische Gesellschaft e. V.

23. bis 26.09.2004, Berlin

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Epidemiology of uveitis in children at the Interdisciplinary Uveitis Center Heidelberg

Meeting Abstract

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  • corresponding author T. Heger - Interdisziplinäres Uveitiszentrum Heidelberg
  • M. Leuchtenberger - Interdisziplinäres Uveitiszentrum Heidelberg
  • J. Grulich-Henn - Universitätskinderklinik Heidelberg
  • B. Rogalski - Kinder- u. Jugendrheumatologie, Die SRH-Gruppe, Neckargemünd
  • M.D. Becker - Interdisziplinäres Uveitiszentrum Heidelberg

Evidenzbasierte Medizin - Anspruch und Wirklichkeit. 102. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Ophthalmologischen Gesellschaft. Berlin, 23.-26.09.2004. Düsseldorf, Köln: German Medical Science; 2004. Doc04dogP 211

The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.egms.de/en/meetings/dog2004/04dog702.shtml

Published: September 22, 2004

© 2004 Heger et al.
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Outline

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Objective

Medical care of uveitis in children is a difficult task for pediatricians as well as for ophthalmologists. Epidemiological data are necessary for the evaluation of the incidence and forms of uveitis and for successful therapeutic strategies.

Methods

We analysed the database of our interdisciplinary uveitis centre concerning anatomical localisation, association with systemic diseases and immunosuppressive drugs.

Results

The database of our center, founded in October 2001, currently includes 893 patients. 70 patients were 16 years old or younger (8% of all patients) and the mean age of the children was 11. 41% of the children were male. The anatomical localization of uveitis was in 40% anterior, in 24% intermediate and in 20 % posterior. The rest of the children suffered from panuveitis, neuritis or keratitis. In 76% both eyes were inflamed and in 40% there was no association with systemic diseases, infections or ocular syndromes. 24% of the children had a juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). In 25% an immunosuppressive therapy was implemented (14 methotrexate, 7 ciclosporin, 4 azathioprine) in form of a mono or combination therapy.

Conclusions

Results of the evaluation of our data show that most of the children were girls with bilateral anterior uveitis. The most common systemic association was JIA and the most commonly used corticosteroid sparing drug was methotrexate.