Presentation of suspected pediatric uveitis.

UNLABELLED: Presentation of suspected pediatric uveitis: Pediatric uveitis is usually managed in specialized ophthalmic centers in the UK. Meaningful data acquisition in these clinics may be helpful in clinical governance, and healthcare planning in a specialty that is gradually changing due to changes in treatment choices. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of prospectively acquired data in the Liverpool pediatric uveitis database was performed. RESULTS: Analysis of our data, based on 147 patients, with a mean age of 10 years, indicated a female to male ratio of 2:1. 99% of patients were Caucasian. Our data indicates 86% of all patients attending the uveitis clinic were diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, followed by intermediate uveitis 5% and idiopathic uveitis 4%. 46% of patients required treatment. Systemic treatment included methotrexate (34%), prednisolone (14%), etanercept (6%), ciclosporin (6%), mycophenolate (3%), and infliximab (1%). Severe visual loss (defined by counting fingers or below vision) was seen in 10 eyes despite appropriately treated chronic uveitis. CONCLUSION: Our data shows uveitis-related ocular morbidity in a predominantly pediatric Caucasian population. Patients with severe and chronic uveitis may experience significant uveitis-related complications and subsequent visual loss despite aggressive treatment.

Etanercept in methotrexate-resistant JIA-related uveitis.

UNLABELLED: We report our results with systemic Etanercept in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis in a joint ophthalmology-rheumatology clinic at a tertiary hospital. METHODS: Patients with JIA on Etanercept were identified from a dedicated uveitis database. A retrospective review of electronic and paper-based patient records was performed. RESULTS: Nine patients with JIA and current or previous treatment with Etanercept were identified, including six females and three males. Five patients with previous or current uveitis were noted. A further four were under observation for uveitis and required Etanercept for their joint disease. All nine patients had previously been taking Methotrexate, which had a suboptimal response in controlling arthritis or uveitis. Six out of nine patients did not show any uveitis activity at their last follow-up. Eyes of three patients still show signs of active inflammation in the anterior chamber (two on Etanercept and one off Etanercept). Severely impaired visual acuity (PL) was recorded in both eyes of one patient with long-standing persistent uveitis. Moderate visual loss in one eye of one patient was seen. The remaining seven patients did not show any significant loss of vision. Intraocular inflammation was not induced in any patient started on Etanercept. CONCLUSION: Etanercept may be useful in controlling JIA-related uveitis or arthritis in a pediatric patient when Methotrexate has had a suboptimal response in controlling the inflammatory activity.