Characteristics of Eye Diseases in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis in Korea: A Single-Center Survey

Abstract

Background/Purpose:

Uveitis is the most common extra-articular manifestation occurring in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the characteristics of uveitis in patients with AS using questionnaire survey.

Methods: A questionnaire-based survey was conducted for patients enrolled in AS registry at a rheumatology clinic in a tertiary hospital between September 2015 and December 2015. Patients responded to 10 questions, with several sub-questions related to eye disease including uveitis.

Results: A total of 750 patients participated in the survey. Among them, 266 (35%) answered that they had an eye disease including uveitis (64%), conjunctivitis (8%), dry eye (6%), and iritis (5%). The number of patients who were diagnosed with uveitis in the ophthalmology department was 218 (29%). The number of patients who experienced a flare of uveitis more than once a year was 109 (50%). In addition, at the time of the study, only 53 (24%) had been recommended to undergo testing for autoimmune disease. The most common symptoms of patients with uveitis were ocular congestion (61%), eye pain (54%), and decreased visual acuity (51%). Interestingly, 91 of the 532 patients (17%) who had not been diagnosed with uveitis before also experienced similar symptoms.

Conclusion:

We identified various eye-related problems and the clinical characteristics of uveitis in patients with AS. Our survey revealed not only information about AS-related eye diseases but also the need for cooperation between rheumatologists and ophthalmologists.