Younger patients with remitted primary anterior uveitis are at a higher risk of relapsing

Young adults with remitted primary anterior uveitis pose a higher risk of relapsing than middle-aged adults, according to an investigation featured in Ophthalmology.

Dr John H. Kempen et al., Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, compiled a retrospective cohort study on 102 anterior uveitis patients. Each patient achieved remission during the primary episode of anterior uveitis within 90 days of diagnosis. Information was obtained via a standardized chart review and the main outcome measures included time to relapse of anterior uveitis and the risk factors contributing towards relapse.

The findings demonstrated a recurrence of anterior uveitis in 40 patients and a relapse incidence in 24% per patient, per year. Of the patients studied, 61% remained in remission at 1.5 years after remission.

The comparison of 18–35 year old patients with 35–55 year old patients revealed that younger adults presented with a significantly higher relapse risk than middle-aged adults.