Symptoms in noninfectious uveitis in a pediatric cohort: initial presentation versus recurrences

Abstract Purpose To describe the prevalence of symptoms with noninfectious uveitis (NIU) in a pediatric cohort and to assess the association between the presence of symptoms with first episode of uveitis (first-U) compared to symptoms at uveitis recurrence. Methods The medical records of patients with NIU treated at a tertiary referral hospital from March 2008 to November 2107 were reviewed retrospectively. Symptomaticity (eye pain, eye redness, photosensitivity) was captured at initial uveitis activation and subsequent episodes. Univariate logistic regression modeling was used to identify clinical features associated with symptomatic first-U. Ordinal regression identified patient characteristics associated with symptomatic recurrence. Results A total of 118 cases were reviewed; of these, 92 were followed for at least 6 months and had at least 1 reactivation. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis–related uveitis (JIAU) was the most common diagnosis (67/118 [57%]), followed by idiopathic uveitis (33%). In the majority, uveitis was restricted to the anterior chamber (82%). Of the 118 cases, 58 patients (49%) had symptomatic first-U, 34% JIA versus 69% non-JIA. Non-JIAU, age ≥7 years, and negative antinuclear antibody (ANA) test were significantly associated with symptomatic first-U; spondyloarthritis was not. With recurrence, half had symptoms: 41% JIA versus 66% non-JIA. Of those who had symptomatic first-U, 35% were asymptomatic at recurrence. Those with JIA had 50% or less odds of symptomaticity at reactivation. Complications did not vary based on having had symptoms at first-U. Conclusions Non-JIA diagnosis, older age, and ANA-negativity were associated with symptomatic first-U in our study cohort, but no patient characteristics were significantly associated with symptomatic recurrence. Clinical patterns may change during disease course, with uveitis switching from symptomatic to asymptomatic, which has implications for uveitis monitoring recommendations.