Clinical and Demographic Characteristics of Uveitis Patients: Eastern Black Sea Region Sample

Abstract

Aim: Uveitis is one of the leading causes of visual impairment worldwide. This study aims to delineate the demographic and clinical characteristics of uveitis patients who underwent treatment and monitoring at our facility. Material and Methods: A retrospective examination was conducted on the medical records of uveitis patients monitored at the Uvea-Behçet Unit of Karadeniz Technical University Faculty of Medicine Farabi Hospital between 1997 and 2020. Four hundred and fifty uveitis patients, whose records comprehensively met the study criteria, were evaluated for analysis. Results: Females constituted 56.2% (n=253) while males represented 43.8% (n=197) of the study group. Patients exhibited a mean age of 35.85±16.79 years. The predominant clinical presentation was a decline in visual acuity reported by 84.9% (n=382) of the patients. Idiopathic uveitis emerged as the most prevalent subtype accounting for 23.5% (n=106) of cases. Topical steroids were the primary treatment administered to 78.4% (n=353) of the study group. Six hundred eleven of a total of 900 eyes were involved. Anatomically, anterior uveitis was the most common form in all eyes, with 38.7% (n=349). Of the eyes with involvement, 59.1% (n=367) fully recovered, while 38.5% (n=239) experienced symptom management with ongoing treatment, and 2.4% (n=15) of patients were non-responsive to treatment. Conclusion: The prevalence, subtype distribution, and clinical manifestations of uveitis can exhibit regional variations. This study demonstrates the demographic and clinical characteristics of uveitis patients in the Eastern Black Sea Region.

Keywords

• uveitis
• uveal diseases; uveitis therapy;
• uveitis complications

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