Uveitis in Patients with Autoimmune Hepatitis

Lyndell L. Lim, John D. Scarborough, Jennifer E. Thorne, Elizabeth Graham, John H. Kempen, Friederike Mackensen, Quan Dong Nguyen, Tisha Prabriputaloong, Russell W. Read, Eric B. Suhler, Jonathan M. Schwartz, Justine R. Smith

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: To report seven cases of uveitis occurring in patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), raising the possibility that uveitis may be an extrahepatic feature of AIH. Design: Multicenter, retrospective, observational case series of patients with AIH and uveitis. Methods: One index case was identified at Oregon Health & Science University. Further cases were identified by a web-based survey of members of the American Uveitis Society, the International Uveitis Study Group, the Proctor Foundation mailing list server, and the First SUN International Workshop. Respondents were asked to provide clinical information about uveitis phenotype, AIH features, and treatment. Results: Clinical information was obtained for seven individuals (four females and three males; age range, seven to 67 years) who suffered from AIH and uveitis. Average duration of follow-up was 5.5 years. All patients had chronic, persistent bilateral uveitis that was anterior (n = 3), intermediate (n = 1), or pan (n = 3) in location. Every patient had complications arising from his or her uveitis, including cataract (n = 5), glaucoma (n = 3), cystoid macular edema (n = 3), and posterior synechiae (n = 3). Final visual acuities ranged from 20/16 to hand movements. To treat the uveitis and/or AIH, the majority of patients required oral prednisone and all seven patients were treated with systemic immunosuppression. Conclusion: Despite the small size of this study, our findings suggest an association between AIH and uveitis. The uveitis is chronic, bilateral, and associated with sight-threatening complications, necessitating systemic immunosuppression in some individuals.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)332-338.e1
JournalAmerican journal of ophthalmology
Volume147
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2009
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ophthalmology

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