Paediatric non-infectious uveitis in Cape Town, South Africa: a retrospective review of disease characteristics and outcomes on immunomodulating treatment

Abstract Background Non-infectious uveitis is a well-reported cause of blindness in more developed countries, however data from sub-Saharan Africa lacking. Here we aim to describe the diseases associated with paediatric non-infectious and effect currently available treatment this setting. Methods A retrospective observational analysis children January 2010 December 2017, attending tertiary rheumatology ophthalmology referral units Cape Town was conducted. Statistical utilising STATA13 software performed p < 0.05 considered significant. Results Twenty-nine were identified: median age at first visit 74 months (IQR 49–86 months), female male ratio 0.9:1, predominantly mixed ancestry (72.4%). Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIAU) (48.3%), (41.4%), sarcoidosis (6.9%) Behcet’s disease (3.5%) diagnosed. Chronic anterior (72.4%) most frequent finding. Fifty-five percent had complications presentation all presented cataracts. Only 6.5% JIA cohort JIAU. All chronic uveitis. There no differences between those without uveitis, for sex ( = 0.68) race 0.58). Significantly, an overall younger 0.008), oligo-articular 0.01) antinuclear antibody positive 0.001). Children (66.6%) (41.7%). Nineteen (65.5%) inactive on 12 diagnosis, which included 10 topical corticosteroid therapy. At last clinical 17 (58.6%) standard initial therapy, 8 (27.6%) tumour necrosis factor inhibitors 2 additional DMARDs remission. Five these still required corticosteroids. Surgery 41.4%, primarily group. Visual acuity improved or maintained treatment. Conclusion Current practice seems detect potentially sight-threatening but high rate low percentage JIAU raises concerns delayed healthcare intervention. Tumour have outcomes refractory cases cohort, further studies are needed.