Autoimmune uveitis in children: clinical correlation between antinuclear antibody positivity and ocular recurrences.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to identify the correlation between antinuclear antibody (ANA) titre and the onset and clinical course of uveitis in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) or without any other systemic autoimmune disease, i.e., idiopathic uveitis (IU).


METHODS
Twenty-two patients affected by uveitis were examined. Ten had JIA-associated uveitis, 12 had IU. Follow-up ranged from 7 to 101 months. The ANA were titrated three times per year and additionally in case of ocular recurrences. All patients were treated with immunosuppressive drug combination therapy (IDCT).


RESULTS
JIA-associated uveitis: ocular recurrences were noted in three ANA-positive patients and in one ANA-negative patient. IU uveitis: ocular recurrences were noted in one ANA-positive and in one ANA-negative patient. No significant rise in ANA titre was noted in either group during uveitis recurrence.


CONCLUSIONS
(1) ANA had no value in predicting the recurrence of uveitis. (2) IDCT does not influence ANA production.
Manzotti
Francesca
F
Institute of Ophthalmology, University of Parma, Italy.
Orsoni
Jelka G
JG
Zavota
Laura
L
Cimino
Luca
L
Zola
Enrica
E
Bonaguri
Chiara
C
D017677:Age Distribution; D017668:Age of Onset; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014605:Uveitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology*
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D015415:Biomarkers; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents