Ophthalmological manifestations in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies associated vasculitis: retrospective analysis of 104 patients in a reference center in Argentina

Autores: Máximo Cosentino, Claudia Pena, María Victoria Martiré, Lucila García, Mercedes García

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Introduction: ophthalmological involvement (OI) in vasculitis associated with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (AAV) varies widely depending on the subtype of vasculitis.

Objectives: to describe the frequency, clinical manifestations, and ophthalmological sequelae as well as factors associated with ophthalmological involvement in patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV).

Materials and methods: a retrospective and analytical study in patients with AAV was performed. OI was recorded at the beginning of the disease, and patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of OI. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariate analysis were performed to evaluate the factors associated with OI.

Results: one hundred and four patients with AAV were included, and 61.5% were women. Forty-nine percent of patients presented granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), 34.6% microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), and 16.3% eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). Of the total, 30 patients (28.8%) presented OI at the beginning of the disease (47% GPA, 17.6% EGPA and 8.33% MPA). The orbital commitment was observed exclusively in patients with GPA. In the multivariate analysis, erythrosedimentation and thrombocytosis showed an association with OI. Ophthalmological sequelae were observed in 9 (30%) patients with OI.

Conclusions: the frequency and clinical manifestations of OI depend on the type of AAV. Because the frequency and the possibility of subsequent sequelae are high, prompt identification and appropriate treatment are necessary.