[Scleritis: clinical characteristics, systemic associations, treatment and outcome in 100 patients].
OBJECTIVE
To document the clinical features, systemic association, treatment and evolution of 100 patients with scleritis evaluated at the Uveitis Service of the Federal University of Minas Gerais.


METHODS
100 patients were identified with the diagnosis of scleritis. Signals and symptoms, visual acuity, B-mode ultrasonography signals, systemic associations, treatment and evolution were described and analyzed.


RESULTS
69 patients were female and 31 were male. Diffuse and nodular anterior scleritis occurred in 71 patients, necrotizing anterior scleritis in 3, posterior scleritis in 24 and escleromalacia perforans in 2 patients. Unilateral involvement occurred in 79 patients and bilateral involvement in 21 patients. The main symptoms were ocular pain and redness and the main signal in posterior scleritis was the serous detachment of the retina. Scleritis in association with systemic disease occurred in 35 patients and the principal kind of treatment was the use of oral NSAIDs. Only 18 patients required systemic immunosuppressive drugs. Ocular complications were detected in 35 patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Scleritis may represent a diagnostic challenge and is often associated with life threatening systemic disease and vision threatening ocular complications. Knowledge of scleritis may aid in determining timely and accurate diagnosis and treatment of both the ocular and any associated systemic conditions, thus decreasing morbidity and mortality.
Machado
Danuza de Oliveira
Dde O
Hospital São Geraldo, Hospital das Clínicas, UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil. danuzadeoliveira@ig.com.br
Curi
André Luis Land
AL
Fernandes
Raphael Stehling
RS
Bessa
Thais Fontes
TF
Campos
Wesley Ribeiro
WR
Oréfice
Fernando
F
D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015423:Scleritis / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine