Br J Ophthalmol 2001;85:219-221
( February )
Scientific correspondence
Prevalence of subclinical anterior uveitis in adult patients with
inflammatory bowel disease
F D Verbraaka, M C J M Schreinemachersa, A Tillera, S J H van Deventerb, M D de Smeta
a Department of
Ophthalmology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, P O
Box 22700, 1100 DE Amsterdam, The Netherlands, b Laboratory for Experimental Internal Medicine
Correspondence to: Dr F D Verbraak
f.d.verbraak{at}amc.uva.nl
Accepted for publication 18 July 2000
AIM
To assess the
prevalence of subclinical anterior uveitis in adult patients with
inflammatory bowel disease.
METHODSIn 179 consecutive patients (96 with Crohn's disease, 55 with ulcerative
colitis, and 28 with inflammatory bowel disease of undetermined nature)
without previous or concurrent ocular complaints, quantitative flare
measurements were obtained with the Kowa FC laser flare to detect the
presence of subclinical uveitis.
RESULTSThe mean flare
value was 3.9 (SD 1.1) ph/ms in patients younger than 30 years of age,
rising to 5.8 (2.5) ph/ms in those over 60 years of age. No
measurement performed in this patient population fell outside the mean
observed value plus or minus SD of the normal controls within the same
age category.
CONCLUSIONIn an adult
population of 179 consecutive patients with inflammatory bowel disease
the presence of a form of subclinical uveitis, as described by Hofley
et al in a group of juvenile patients, is
highly unlikely.
© 2001 by British Journal of Ophthalmology
