Characteristics of Ankylosing Spondylitis Associated Uveitis

Benha University22 enrolled

Overview

This study aims to understand the clinical characteristics associated with AAU in Egyptian AS patients, and the prognostic factors, in terms of the Corrected Distance Visual Acuity (CDVA).

This is a one-year retrospective cohort study conducted at the Spine and Ophthalmology Clinics of Benha University - Faculty of Medicine, Egypt, between September 2023 and August 2024. The study aims to characterize the clinical features and identify prognostic factors affecting visual outcomes in patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis-associated Anterior Uveitis (ASAAU). Patients included in this study were Egyptian nationals who initially presented to the Spine Clinic with systemic symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and were subsequently referred to the Ophthalmology Clinic due to ophthalmic complaints. Only patients who were confirmed to have both AS (diagnosed according to the Modified New York criteria and radiographic imaging) and anterior uveitis (confirmed by slit-lamp examination and supported by Optical Coherence Tomography \[OCT\] and Fluorescein Angiography \[FA\]) were enrolled. The final sample included 26 eyes from 22 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Patients were excluded if they were non-Egyptian, had other systemic autoimmune or immunologic conditions, had uveitis due to secondary causes, had undergone ocular surgeries, did not receive uveitis treatment, were lost to follow-up, or had incomplete medical records.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

Conditions

Uveitis

Interventions

AdalimumabDRUG

A tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) inhibitor used as a biologic agent for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis. Administered subcutaneously as part of systemic immunomodulatory therapy.

Systemic corticosteroidsDRUG

Oral or intravenous corticosteroids (e.g., prednisolone) used to suppress systemic inflammation in cases of active AS or severe uveitis.

Eligibility

Sex: ALL

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Egyptian nationality. Age: ≥ 18 years. Confirmed diagnosis of Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) according to the Modified New York Criteria, including: Clinical symptoms (e.g., chronic inflammatory back pain, reduced lumbar motion, reduced chest expansion) Radiographic evidence of sacroiliitis. Confirmed diagnosis of Acute Anterior Uveitis (AAU) based on: Ophthalmologic examination (e.g., slit-lamp biomicroscopy) Ancillary testing (e.g., Optical Coherence Tomography \[OCT\] and/or Fluorescein Angiography \[FA\]). Presentation to the Spine Clinic of Benha University - Faculty of Medicine between September 2023 and August 2024 with ophthalmic complaints, subsequently referred to the Ophthalmology Clinic. Complete medical and ophthalmologic records available. Received treatment for both AS and AAU. At least one follow-up visit after initiation of treatment. Exclusion Criteria: * Non-Egyptian patients. History of other systemic autoimmune or immunological diseases (e.g., sarcoidosis, Behçet's disease, systemic lupus erythematosus). Uveitis due to non-autoimmune secondary causes (e.g., infectious uveitis, trauma-related uveitis). History of ocular surgery prior to the episode of AAU

Locations (1)

Benha University

Banhā, Cairo Governorate, Egypt

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in Corrected Distance Visual Acuity (CDVA)

CDVA was assessed at baseline (initial presentation) and after treatment (follow-up average of 3 months), using the Logarithm of the Minimum Angle of Resolution (logMAR) scale. Improvement or deterioration in CDVA was evaluated in relation to clinical characteristics, treatment modalities, and complication development.

Time frame: Baseline and 3-month follow-up

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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