Hemoglobin/Red Cell Distribution Width Ratio is Associated With Poor Prognosis in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome in Long-Term Follow-Up

Abstract Background Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is the most common subtype of coronary artery disease (CAD). It is one of the main reasons affecting the expected life expectancy and quality of life. Objetives In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and Hemoglobin (Hb)/Red cell distribution width (RDW) in long-term follow-up after ACS. Methods A total of 1,146 ACS patients were included in the study, being classified according to the type of myocordial infarction (MI). MACE were recorded in long-term follow-up. The relationship between Hb/RDW and MACE was investigated. The statistical analyses of Mann-Whitney U test for comparison of two independent groups and chi-square test for categorical variables were used. In order to determine the diagnostic feature of the HB/RDW ratio, the diagnostic ratios were calculated by applying Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (ROC) analysis. A p < 0.05 value was considered statistically significant in all analyses. Results: When the patients were analyzed according to MI types — ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)/Non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) —, it was observed that Hb/RDW (p = 0.038) was significantly higher in the STEMI group. The Hb/RDW ratio was statistically significant in predicting mortality. As a result of ROC analysis, Area Under the Curve (AUC) = 0.654 (p < 0.001) was found. The cut-off value for the Hb/RDW ratio was calculated as 0.947. The sensitivity and specificity of 76.9% and 48.4% for the diagnostic rates obtained were moderately acceptable. Conclusion The Hb/RDW-long-term mortality relationship was found to be significant in ROC analysis. It can be used in clinical practice as it is cheap, easy to apply, and reduces possible bias in post-ACS follow-up.

Is the Naples prognostic score useful for predicting heart failure mortality.

Aim    The Naples prognostic score (NPS) simultaneously evaluates inflammation and malnutrition, which are two main factors that play a role in the pathophysiology and prognosis of heart failure (HF). In this study, we aimed to examine the relationship of NPS with in-hospital mortality of hospitalized patients with a diagnosis of HF.Material and Methods    A total of 496 hospitalized HF patients included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups as deceased and living. The clinical and demographic characteristics of each patient were recorded. NPS of each patient was calculated.Results    NPS was significantly higher in the deceased group compared to the living group (3.6±0.61, 3.21±0.97, respectively; p=0.003). According to multivariate regression analysis: NPS (OR: 1.546, 95 % CI: 1.027-2.327; p=0.037), systolic blood pressure (OR: 0.976, 95 % CI: 0.957-0.995; p=0.015), and white blood cell count (OR: 1.072, 95 % CI: 1.007-1142; p=0.03) are independent predictors for in-hospital mortality in HF patients.Conclusion    This study demonstrated a strong correlation between NPS and mortality in HF. This new score can be used to predict the prognosis of HF as it shows both the level of inflammation and nutrition.

Characteristics of uveitic glaucoma in Turkish patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prevalence of uveitic glaucoma (UG) in the Turkish population and investigate the primary underlying diseases. METHODS: This multicenter, cross-sectional, prospective study included patients who presented to the glaucoma units of 10 tertiary ophthalmology departments in Ankara, Turkey from 15th March to 16th May 2015 and fulfilled the criteria of UG. Patients were inspected for age, sex, medical history, best corrected visual acuity, biomicroscopic findings, intraocular pressure values, and visual field results. RESULTS: During the study period, 4604 eyes of 2541 patients with glaucoma were screened and 145 eyes of 104 patients (4.1%) were identified as having UG. One hundred and thirty-four eyes (92.4%) had open-angle glaucoma and 11 eyes (7.6%) had closed-angle glaucoma. The mean patient age was 47 ± 16 (6-90) years. Idiopathic uveitis (54 eyes), Behçet's disease (26 eyes), Fuchs heterochromic cyclitis (21 eyes), Herpes Simplex virus infectious uveitis (14 eyes), and ankylosing spondylitis (six eyes) were the leading types of uveitis associated with glaucoma. Acute anterior uveitis was the most common type of uveitis diagnosed in 72 patients (105 eyes), whereas 21 patients (27 eyes) had panuveitis, eight patients (nine eyes) had intermediate uveitis, and three patients (four eyes) had posterior uveitis. The need for surgical intervention was 37.2% among all cases and the most common surgery was trabeculectomy in 45 eyes. CONCLUSION: UG is a vision-threatening complication commonly seen in patients with uveitis. This study demonstrates the epidemiological features and underlying etiologies of UG in the Turkish population. The most common primary causes of UG were Behçet's disease and Fuchs heterochromic cyclitis.

Early detection strain/strain rate and time to strain/strain rate abnormalities for left atrial mechanical function in hypertensive patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate left atrial (LA) deformation parameters strain (S)/strain rate (SR) and time to peak S/SR obtained by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) in patients with hypertension for three LA mechanical phases and to compare them with the same indices in the control subjects. METHODS: Fifty-five patients with hypertension (HT) and 29 healthy controls were included in the study. All patients had normal LA poster-anterior diameter, LA and left ventricular ejection fractions (LVEF >50%) in two-dimensional echocardiography (2-DE). The peak S/SR values (PS/PSR), the time to peak S/SR (TPS/TPSR) were measured using the 12-segment model for the left atrium during contractile (CP) reservoir (RP) and conduit period (COP) of the LA cycle. RESULTS: For two periods (RP and COP), all of the PS and PSR values were significantly lower in hypertensive patients with preserved LAEF and LVEF compared to those in the controls, except for the CP. Similarly, hypertensive patients had significantly higher TPS and TPSR than those in the controls for the RP and COP in the LA wall, except for the CP. CONCLUSION: LA mechanical function was impaired in hypertensive patients with preserved LA and LV ejection fraction compared to the controls. Although the PS and PSR were decreased for the RP and COP of LA mechanical phases, the TPS/TPSR were prolonged in the HT patients compared to the controls. This might be additional diagnosis criteria to detect the LA myocardial dysfunction and might be a predisposing factor for atrial arrhythmia formation in the hypertensive patients.

New Thrombolytic Infusion Application of Dissolving Renal Artery Embolic Thrombosis: Low-Dose Slow-Infusion Thrombolytic Therapy.

Renal artery thromboembolism (RATE) is an uncommon complication of renal arteries from heart chamber. Although there is no treatment protocol prescribed with guidelines, thrombolytic agents such as rt-PA are frequently used. Unfortunately, current thrombolytic agent application protocol in treatment for the RATE is used in acute myocardial infarction or acute pulmonary embolism. In this protocol, 0.9-1.0% cerebral and 4-13% noncerebral hemorrhages are seen. In contrast to this protocol, we aimed to present a case of RATE, in which we applied low-dose, slow-infusion thrombolytic therapy, and we have not observed any complication such as cerebral and noncerebral hemorrhage.

Assessment of cardiac autonomic functions by heart rate variability in patients with restless leg syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate cardiac autonomic effects in restless leg syndrome (RLS) using heart rate variability (HRV). METHODS: A total of 35 patients with RLS and 35 healthy individuals were enrolled in the study. The severity of RLS symptoms was assessed using the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group rating scale (IRLS). The correlation between the severity of RLS symptoms and HRV parameters measured on an electrocardiogram was analyzed. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups with respect to age, gender, or body mass index. The mean heart rate was 85±7.1 bpm in the RLS group compared with 79.6±5.5 bpm in the control group (p=0.001). The standard deviation (SD) of all normal to normal (NN) intervals (SDNN), the mean of the deviation of 5-minute NN intervals over the entire recording (SDNN index), and the SD of the average NN intervals calculated over a 5-minute period of the entire recording (SDANN) were significantly lower in the RLS group compared with the control group (p<0.05 for all). There were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups in the square root of the mean squared differences of successive NN intervals (RMSSD) and the proportion of adjacent RR intervals differing by >50 milliseconds in the 24-hour recording (pNN50) values (p=0.119 and p=0.07, respectively). In patients with RLS, the low frequency (LF) power and LF/high frequency (HF) ratio were significantly higher than those in the control group (2248.6±245.6 vs 712.1±346.3, 10.7±3.7 vs 2.9±1.8; p<0.0001 and p<0.0001, respectively). Compared with the control group, the RLS group had lower values for HF power, but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.07). The severity of RLS symptoms was negatively correlated with the SDNN, SDANN index, and pNN50 (r=-0.453 and p=0.009, r=-0.340 and p=0.046, r=-0.446 and p=0.007, respectively), and positively correlated with LF power (r=0.681 and p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: The study data demonstrated that cardiac autonomic impairment is associated with RLS.

Prosthetic heart valve thrombosis treated with low-dose slow-infusion fibrinolytic therapy.

Thromboembolic complications following heart valve replacements are rare but a severe situation. Cerebral infarcts, transient neurologic deficits, and cardiac arrest due to stuck prostheses are among possible critical outcomes. Diagnosis and appropriate treatment should be initiated rapidly. Echocardiography plays a significant role in diagnosis. Fibrinolysis, anticoagulation with heparin, and surgical intervention are considered among the treatment modalities. Medical treatment is conducted according to the valvular condition and the clinical status of the patient. In order to prevent probable complications and enhance the efficiency of fibrinolysis, different approaches have been established regarding the dose and rate of the medication. In the present case, we report a prosthetic heart valve thrombosis successfully treated with an administration of low-dose, slow-infusion fibrinolytic agent. .

Preprocedural red blood cell distribution width predicts bare metal stent restenosis.

BACKGROUND: It has been shown that increased red blood cell distribution width (RDW) predicts adverse outcomes in cardiovascular disease and in patients undergoing a percutaneous coronary intervention. The aim of the present study was to assess the predictive value of preinterventional RDW on the development of in-stent restenosis (ISR) in patients undergoing stent implantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, we compared 131 patients with ISR and 138 patients without ISR who had undergone bare metal stent implantation. RESULTS: Preprocedural RDW was significantly higher in patients with ISR than those without restenosis (14.6±3.2 vs. 13.4±1.6%, P<0.001). Stent length was significantly longer in patients with than those without restenosis (17.9±5.6 vs. 16.2±5.2 mm, respectively, P=0.03). Compared with patients with restenosis, patients without restenosis had a lower rate of diabetes (28 vs. 61 patients, P=0.001), a significantly short period between two coronary angiographies (9.8±9.3 vs. 12.9±11.6 months, respectively, P=0.02), and lower triglyceride levels (133±53 vs. 198±121 mg/dl, respectively, P=0.05). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, diabetes mellitus, stent length, preprocedural RDW, and current smoking independently predicted ISR. CONCLUSION: Increased preinterventional RDW significantly predicts bare metal stent restenosis and might represent a useful screening tool to stratify patients according to a higher or a lower risk of ISR after stent implantation in patients with stable and unstable angina pectoris.

Combined non-penetrating deep sclerectomy with phacoemulsification versus non-penetrating deep sclerectomy alone.

PURPOSE: To compare the results of combined non-penetrating deep sclerectomy with phacoemulsification (Phaco-NPDS) to those of non-penetrating deep sclerectomy (NPDS) alone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-two eyes with cataract and primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) or pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (PXG) were randomly assigned to either Phaco-NPDS or NPDS. Follow-up was performed at regular intervals for up to 36 months. Complete success was defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) <21 mmHg without medication and qualified success was defined as IOP <21 mmHg with medication. RESULTS: Mean IOP in the Phaco-NPDS group decreased from 23.0 ± 7.8 mmHg to 14.1 ± 2.8 mmHg and in the NPDS group from 23.5 ± 5.1 to 14.6 ± 2.2 mmHg 24 months after surgery. The decreases of IOP in the postoperative period were statistically significant in both groups (p < 0.05). There was no significant IOP difference between Phaco-NPDS and NPDS patients postoperatively (p > 0.05). The mean number of glaucoma medications decreased from 1.8 ± 1.3 to 0.15 ± 0.4 and from 1.7 ± 1.4 to 0.22 ± 0.6 in the Phaco-NPDS and NPDS groups, respectively. The decreases in the mean number of the anti-glaucoma medications at the end of the postoperative, 24-month follow-up period were found to be statistically significant for both Phaco-NPDS and NPDS groups (p < 0.05). Mean BCVA increased significantly in both groups. However, the visual outcome was significantly better for the Phaco-NPDS group (p < 0.05). The complete and qualified success rates were 65.3% and 88.4% for Phaco-NPDS patients and 73.1% and 92.3% for NPDS patients, respectively (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Phaco-NPDS surgery achieved excellent IOP control, while also providing immediate visual recovery. The success rate was similar to that of the NPDS procedure alone. It is advisable to consider Phaco-NPDS as a primary surgery for patients with coexisting cataract and open angle glaucoma, including PXG.

[Percutaneous closure of secundum atrial septal defects in pediatric and adult patients: short- and mid-term follow-up results]. / Eriskin ve çocuklardaki sekundum tip atriyal septal defektlerin perkütan yaklasim ile kapatilmasi: Kisa-orta dönem izlem sonuçlarimiz.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the short- and mid-term results of patients with atrial septal defect (ASD) who were treated with percutaneous closure. STUDY DESIGN: Seventy-nine patients with secundum ASD (54 female and 25 male; mean age 26.2±17.2; range 3 to 71] years) were included in this study. Patients were evaluated by transthoracic (TTE) and/or transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Amplatzer septal occluder (ASO) was used in all patients. In 76 patients, the procedure was performed under local anesthesia with TTE, while in the other 3 patients, it was performed with general anesthesia with TEE. Patients were followed up at the 1st, 3rd, 6th and 12th months and annually thereafter. Mean follow-up time was 13.6±6.6 months. RESULTS: Mean diameter of ASDs was 18.2±7.5 mm and 20.7±8.04 mm during balloon dilatation, and mean diameter of implanted devices was 22.7±8.5 mm. Procedural time was 40.2±12.6 minutes and fluoroscopy time was 10.9±4.1 minutes. The procedure was successfully performed in all patients (100%). One patient with cardiac tamponade died seven days after cardiac surgery. In two patients, the implanted devices embolized to the pulmonary circulation. Residual flow was found in three patients immediately after the procedure, without residual shunts one month after closure. Mild pericardial effusion in one patient and significant residual shunt due to device malposition in another were discovered during the follow-up at 1 and 6 months, respectively, after the procedure. CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that percutaneous closure of ASDs is successful in most patients with a low complication rate, and demonstrated that residual shunts do not develop in the majority of patients in the short- and mid-term.

[Percutaneous closure of patent ductus arteriosus: short term results]. / Duktus arteriyozus açikliginin perkütan yolla kapatilmasi: Kisa dönem sonuçlarimiz.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate short term results of percutaneous patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure in a cohort of pediatric and adult patients following closure with the Amplatzer Ductal Occluder (ADO-1 and ADO-2) and Amplatzer Septal Occluder (ASO) devices. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 48 patients (17 male and 31 female; range 3 to 39 years) were included in this study. All patients were evaluated with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) before intervention. Percutaneous closure was performed under fluoroscopy through anterograde or retrograde route. Aortagraphy was performed to measure and classify the ductus arteriosus. Residual shunt through ductus was controlled by aortography at the tenth minute and by TTE 24 hours and three months after the procedure. RESULTS: The released device was ADO-1 in 25 patients (51.2%), ADO-2 in 22 patients (45.8%), and ASO in one patient. Mean follow-up was 13.2 months. In 97.9% of patients, the occluder was placed into the ductus without any complication. In one patient, the device embolized to the left pulmonary artery during implantation. Aortography performed ten minutes after the procedure showed complete closure in 38 patients without residual defect. TTE revealed trace amounts of residual shunt within the device in two patients, flow around the device in two patients 24 hours after implantation, and residual shunt in only one patient three month after intervention. CONCLUSION: Transcatheter closure of PDA with ADO-1 and ADO-2 devices has low morbidity and mortality with high rates of success in selected patients.

Geleophysic dysplasia associated with bilateral angle closure glaucoma.

In this case report, we present occurrence of bilateral angle closure glaucoma in a 9-year-old girl with geleophysic dysplasia. Bilateral YAG laser iridotomy was applied, but intraocular pressure (IOP) remained at high levels, necessitating bilateral trabeculectomy with mitomycin C. On her follow-up examinations for 3 years, IOP remained in the mid-20s with no need for further intervention or antiglaucoma medication. There are few reports describing the ocular findings of geleophysic dysplasia in literature. To our knowledge, this is the first case report describing an application of glaucoma surgery and its results at geleophysic dysplasia.

Measurement of the anterior chamber angle according to quadrants and age groups using Pentacam Scheimpflug camera.

PURPOSE: This present study aims to investigate the changes in the anterior chamber angle width according to quadrants and age with Pentacam Scheimpflug rotating camera. METHOD: Both eyes of 110 healthy outpatients, selected randomly, were included in this prospective study between March 2009 and June 2009. The patients were divided into 3 age groups: group 1 (≤ 20 y; n=80 eyes), group 2 (21 to 40 y; n=66 eyes), and group 3 (≥ 41 y; n=74 eyes). Angle widths of 12 points (0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240, 270, 300, and 330 degrees) were measured in each eye. The angle width of the superior nasal quadrant (SNQ), superior temporal quadrant (STQ), inferior nasal quadrant, and inferior temporal quadrant were determined according to arithmetical mean of measurements. RESULTS: No significant difference was observed between groups 1 and 2, in terms of the angle widths in all quadrants, for both right and left eyes. However, the angle widths in all quadrants were significantly lower in group 3 than in the other 2 groups (P<0.05). Intragroup analysis was performed to evaluate the differences between the angle widths in all quadrants for the right and left eyes. Among the patients in groups 1 and 3, no significant difference, in the terms of angle width, was found between the quadrants neither in the right nor in the left eye. In group 2, STQ was significantly narrower than the inferior quadrants in the right eye. However, no significant difference was found between the SNQ and the other quadrants. In addition, no significant difference was detected between the inferior quadrants in the right eye. In group 2, SNQ was significantly narrower than the inferior quadrants in the left eye. However, there was no significant difference between the STQ and the other quadrants. In addition, no significant difference was detected between the inferior quadrants in the left eye. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first study that assessed the angle depth in different age groups in 4 quadrants with the highest number of measurements, and the outcomes show that the angle becomes narrower with time and except for the young adults there is no difference between the angle depths in quadrants.

Decompression retinopathy and possible risk factors.

PURPOSE: To discuss the underlying mechanisms in decompression retinopathy. METHODS: Report of two cases. RESULTS: Retinal hemorrhages secondary to decompression retinopathy occurred following combined trabeculotomy-trabeculectomy with mitomycine-C (MMC) in one eye of a case of congenital glaucoma and pars plana vitrectomy-lensectomy in a case of vitreous condensation secondary to pars planitis. Both cases were operated under general anesthesia. Postoperative hypotony did not take place in either eye. The same surgical procedure was performed on the other eye of the patient with congenital glaucoma 1 week apart. Postoperative decompression retinopathy was not seen in this eye despite hypotony was recorded. CONCLUSION: Valsalva manoeuvre, hypotony and other factors may play a role individually or in combination in the pathogenesis of decompression retinopathy.

Retrieval of a mispositioned Ex-PRESS glaucoma device.

The purpose of this article was to report the misposition and subsequent retrieval of an Ex-PRESS (Optonol Ltd., Neve Ilan, Israel) glaucoma drainage device implanted in an eye with pseudoexfoliative glaucoma. The formation of excessive fibrosis at the site of the implant, which was partly dislocated into the anterior chamber, was observed. The Ex-PRESS drainage device was removed from the anterior chamber and the intraocular pressure was relieved through trabeculectomy at the superotemporal part of the globe. The results suggest that trabeculectomy is a practical approach to alleviate intraocular pressure in the case of failed glaucoma drainage devices.

Plasma homocysteine levels and vitamin B status in patients with Pseudoexfoliation syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To determine and compare the plasma levels of homocysteine and vitamin B (B6, B12 and folate) in patients with Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEXS), pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEXG), retinal vein occlusion with pseudoexfoliation (PEX+RVO) and in normal individuals. METHODS: The current study was conducted in the Third Eye Clinic, Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, Turkey, between August 2004 and February 2005. Twenty cases with PEXS (Group 1), 20 cases with PEXG (Group 2), 16 cases with PEX+RVO (central or branch retinal vein occlusion) (Group 3) and 20 normal individuals (control group) were included in the study. Those who use vitamin supplements or drugs affecting the plasma homocysteine levels were excluded from the study. RESULTS: Plasma homocysteine levels were 17.6+/-4.4 mmol/l in Group 1, 18.5+/-4.5 mmol/l in Group 2, 22.2+/-6.0 mmol/l in Group 3, and 14.0+/-3.1 mmol/l in the control group. It was highest in Group 3 (p<0.001). The ratio of hyperhomocysteinemia was calculated as 35% (Group 1), 45% (Group 2), 68.7% (Groups 3) and 15% (control). These values were statistically higher in the groups with PEXS than in the control group (p=0.009). We did not find any statistically significant difference between the groups with respect to the levels of vitamin B6 and B12 (p>0.05), but the level of folate was lowest in Group 3 (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor for thromboembolic vasculopathy in patients with PEXS and PEXG. Therefore, vitamin B supplementation should be considered in these patients when hyperhomocysteinemia is detected.

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Endophthalmitis after cataract extraction.

PURPOSE: To report the clinical course, treatment response, and prognosis of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia endophthalmitis following cataract extraction. METHODS: The clinical records of six cases of S. maltophilia endophthalmitis after cataract extraction were retrospectively reviewed. Data were collected for surgical characteristics, disease course, culture growth, antibiotic sensitivity of the pathogen, response to treatment, and final visual acuity. RESULTS: Four patients underwent uncomplicated cataract extraction with phacoemulsification (PHACO) and intracapsular intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. One case was complicated by inadvertent posterior capsular tear during PHACO and IOL implantation. One patient underwent a combined extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) with IOL implantation and trabeculectomy, but vitrectomy was also performed because of cortical material loss into the vitreous cavity after a capsular tear. Symptoms began between postoperative days 1 and 19. All patients underwent a vitreous tap and intravitreal injections of antibiotics. Medical therapy alone was sufficient in five patients to treat the infection. One patient had four episodes of recurrence. Pars plana vitrectomy with subsequent capsulectomy and IOL extraction were performed in this patient to complete remission. CONCLUSION: S. maltophilia should be considered a pathogenic organism possibly causing endophthalmitis after PHACO+IOL implantation. The clinical picture resembles acute bacterial endophthalmitis. When the pathogen has settled in the capsular bag, the infection may persist and become refractory to medical treatment.

Causes of uveitis in a referral hospital in Ankara, Turkey.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the etiology of uveitis and its associated systemic findings in a referral hospital in Ankara, Turkey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical records of patients in our uveitis department were reviewed retrospectively and 419 eyes of 300 consecutive patients were included in the study. Cases of uveitis due to postoperative endophthalmitis, perforating injuries, and foreign bodies were excluded from the study. The data, including sex, age, clinical presentation, disease course and outcome, ocular involvement, etiology, and associated systemic findings, were entered into a computer database. Pearson chi-square statistical analysis was performed to analyze the data whenever necessary. RESULTS: The study subjects consisted of 162 males and 138 females, with a female to male ratio of 1:1.17 and an average age of 35.7 years. Anterior uveitis was the most common form of uveitis with 43.6%, followed by posterior uveitis (26.6%), panuveitis (20.6%), and intermediate uveitis (9%). Idiopathic uveitis (28.3%) was the most frequent cause of uveitis diagnosed, followed by Behçet's disease (26%) and rheumatic diseases (9%). In 215 (71.7%) out of 300 patients, a specific cause of uveitis with associated systemic findings was identified. Uveitis was attributed to an infectious etiology in only 41 patients (13.6%) of the entire study population. COMMENTS: The etiology of uveitis and its associated systemic findings may vary depending on the geographic distribution of patients and local factors. These results represent those of patients with uveitis referred to hospitals in central Anatolia.