Ophthalmic Manifestations in Chronic Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases at a Referral Hospital of Yaounde, Cameroon

Clinical features of ocular damage in systemic lupus erythematosus and risk factors of hydroxychloroquine related complications

Ocular damage in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may cause insidious visual impairment, but its clinical features and the risk of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ)-related complications are still controversial. We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate ocular damage in SLE, the correlation between eye and systemic involvement, and the ocular side effects of treatment. The database PubMed, Embase, and Ovid were used for literature from reception to July, 2023, and the calculation was carried out with R. About 48,693 patients from 66 studies were included. The results indicated that ocular damage in SLE was insidious, appearing in 28% of patients with no complaints. The most common symptoms and manifestations were dry eye (30%) and keratoconjunctivitis sicca (26%). Retinopathy was detected in 10% of patients and was related to antiphospholipid antibodies (25% versus 8%). The proportion of retinopathy also significantly increased in patients with lupus nephropathy or neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (risk ratio of 2.29 and 1.95, respectively). HCQ was used in 82% of patients, of which 4% suffered from ocular toxicity. HCQ-related retinopathy was dose-dependent. Dosage below 5mg/kg/d was relatively effective and safe for long-term use, while routine examination was recommended.

Unveiling Ocular Manifestations in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disorder characterized by immune dysregulation and multi-organ involvement. In this concise brief review, we highlight key insights into Ocular Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), an intricate autoimmune disorder with diverse organ involvement. Emphasizing the formation of autoantibodies and immune complex deposition, we delve into the inflammation and damage affecting ocular structures. Clinical presentations, ranging from mild dry eye syndrome to severe conditions like retinal vasculitis, necessitate a comprehensive diagnostic approach, including clinical exams, serological testing, and imaging studies. Differential diagnosis involves distinguishing SLE-related ocular manifestations from other autoimmune and non-inflammatory ocular conditions. The multidisciplinary management approach, involving rheumatologists, ophthalmologists, and immunologists, tailors treatment based on ocular involvement severity, encompassing corticosteroids, immunosuppressive agents, and biologics. Follow-up is crucial for monitoring disease progression and treatment response. Future perspectives revolve around advancing molecular understanding, refining diagnostic tools, and exploring targeted therapies. Novel research areas include genetic factors, microbiome composition, and biotechnology for tailored and effective SLE ocular treatments.

Spectrum of and Factors Associated with Eye Disorders among Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Attending Tertiary Hospital in Uganda

Background

Ocular morbidities associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have not received much attention in Africa, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. They are among the commonest (40%) extra-articular organ involvement in RA. If undiagnosed, there is a potential risk of them causing visual impairment or blindness. There is no documented study in Uganda on the magnitude of eye disorders among RA patients.

Aim

To determine the spectrum of eye disorders and associated factors among patients with RA attending Mulago National Referral Hospital.

Methods

A hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted among adults with RA attending the rheumatology clinic between July 2021 and September 2021. Clinical and sociodemographic data were collected, and ophthalmologic examinations were performed on all consenting participants. Modified Poisson regression with robust standard error was used to determine factors associated with eye disorders.

Results

Overall, 105 patients with RA were enrolled, of which, 53 (50.5%) had eye disorders. The commonest disorder (54.7%, n=29) was dry-eye syndrome. Factors that were significantly associated with eye disorders were age 36-55 years (aPR 1.56, p=0.015), duration of RA >5 years (aPR 1.81, p=0.001), use of hydroxychloroquine >5 years (aPR 1.77, p=0.041), dose of oral steroids >10 mg/day (aPR 1.49, p=0.034), and history of both diabetes and hypertension (aPR 1.87, p=0.014).

Conclusion

The prevalence of eye disorders among patients with RA was high, with the commonest being dry-eye syndrome. We recommend that ocular examinations be performed on every patient at the time of RA diagnosis for early detection of eye disorders.

Comparison of Clinical Manifestations in Rheumatoid Arthritis vs. Spondyloarthritis: A Systematic Literature Review

INTRODUCTION

Misclassification of spondyloarthritis (SpA) as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may lead to delayed SpA diagnosis and suboptimal therapeutic outcomes. Here, we evaluate the literature on clinical manifestations in patients with SpA and RA, particularly seronegative RA, to understand the potential overlap, distinctions, and most reliable approaches to accurate diagnosis.

METHODS

In this systematic literature review, conducted according to PRISMA guidelines, we searched key biomedical databases for English-language publications of original research articles (up to July 23, 2020) and rheumatology conference abstracts (January 1, 2018-July 31, 2020) reporting key SpA clinical presentations in patients with SpA or RA. Publications were assessed for eligibility by two independent reviewers; discrepancies were resolved by a third. Studies were evaluated for publication quality using the Downs and Black checklist.

RESULTS

Of 4712 records retrieved, 79 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. Of these, 54 included study populations with SpA and RA, and 25 with seropositive and/or seronegative RA. Entheseal abnormalities were more frequently reported among patients with SpA than RA and with seronegative vs. seropositive RA. Psoriasis, nail psoriasis, and dactylitis were exclusively seen in SpA vs. RA. In most publications (70 of 79), advanced imaging techniques allowed for more accurate distinction between SpA and RA. Overlapping clinical characteristics occur in SpA and RA, including inflammation and destruction of joints, pain, diminished functional ability, and increased risk for comorbidities. However, of 54 studies comparing SpA and RA populations, only seven concluded that no distinction can be made based on the SpA manifestations and outcomes examined.

CONCLUSIONS

Typical SpA-related clinical symptoms and signs were observed in patients with RA, suggesting that misclassification could occur. Availability of advanced imaging modalities may allow for more prompt and comprehensive evaluation of peripheral manifestations in SpA and RA, reducing misclassification and delayed diagnosis.

Prevalence and spectrum of eye disorders among patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus in a tertiary hospital in Northern Nigeria

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to determine the spectrum of eye disorders in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Materials and Methods:

A cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted among 100 consecutive patients with RA and SLE. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain details of patients’ sociodemographics, type of rheumatic disease, and prescribed medications. Each patient had a detailed examination of the anterior and posterior segments of the eye. Refraction, intraocular pressure measurement, Schirmer’s test, tear breakup time, gonioscopy, and dilated fundoscopy were also done. Fundus photograph, central visual field assessment, and optical coherence tomography were done as necessary. Analysis was done with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.

Results:

A total of 100 patients consisting of 74 RA and 26 SLE patients were evaluated. The female: male ratio was 4.3: 1 for RA, and all SLE patients were females. The prevalence of eye disorders was 42% in all patients; it was 41.9% and 42.3% among RA and SLE patients, respectively. The most common eye disorders were dry eye (38), refractive errors (18), and cataract (16). The mean age of RA patients with eye disorders (52.19 ± 16.17 years) was significantly higher than those without eye disorders (42.30 ± 13.14 years) (P = 0.005).

Conclusion:

Eye disorders are common in RA and SLE. Comprehensive eye examination should be done on all RA and SLE patients at diagnosis and before commencement of medications, and patients should be referred promptly for evaluation when they have eye complaints.

Epidemiology of disease-activity related ophthalmological manifestations in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

Ophthalmic complications in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) are broad and can occur in up to a third of patients. The British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG) 2004 Index identifies 13 ocular manifestations of active SLE, as opposed to those related to previous disease activity and/or the consequences of therapy. We conducted a systematic review of published literature to determine the frequency of ophthalmic manifestations of active SLE.

METHODS

A systematic literature search of Ovid MEDLINE and EMBASE from their respective inceptions to July 2020 was conducted to identify cohort, case-control and cross-sectional studies.

RESULTS

22 studies meeting eligibility criteria were included. Most studies featured small sample sizes and were judged to have a high risk of methodological bias. The number and quality of studies did not allow us to confidently estimate the incidence of the conditions. No studies reported epidemiological data for orbital inflammation/myositis/proptosis. The prevalence of each of the other ocular manifestations, with the exception of retinal vaso-occlusive disease, was consistently less than 5%. Retinal vasculitis, uveitis and isolated cotton wool spots tended to be associated with more active SLE disease.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of eye disease due to SLE activity is uncommon, but clinicians should be aware that some conditions tend to be associated with more active systemic disease. Further studies to determine the incidence and risk factors for these ophthalmic manifestations are needed.

Ocular Manifestations in Colombian Patients with Systemic Rheumatologic Diseases

Purpose

To establish the prevalence of ocular involvement in a Colombian population with rheumatologic diseases.

Design

Observational cross-sectional study.

Methods

We included a probabilistic sample size of 797 patients who attended a rheumatologic disease center in Bogotá, Colombia. Statistical analysis with descriptive measures and Chi-square independence test between rheumatologic diseases and ophthalmological symptoms and diseases was performed.

Results

Eighty-four percent of the population were women, and the mean age was 54.61± 15.64 years. The most common condition was rheumatoid arthritis (33.37%), followed by fibromyalgia (22.71%), Sjögren Syndrome (19.72%), and systemic lupus erythematosus (9.91%). Almost 7% of the patients presented polyautoimmunity. Thirty-five percent of the patients reported one or more ophthalmological symptoms, being dry eye sensation the most common (30.86%), followed by ocular pain (2.76%), red-eye, and decreased visual acuity (both 2.63%). Similarly, 21.45% of the patients presented one or more ophthalmological diagnoses, being keratoconjunctivitis sicca the most common (15.93%), followed by cataract, uveitis (1.38% each), and scleritis (1.25%).

Conclusion

Almost a third of the patients reported any ocular involvement. It is crucial to be aware of the most common ophthalmic manifestations among the different rheumatologic diseases in our population, to offer early specialist referral and timely treatment.

Systemic sclerosis in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review

Systematic studies on connective tissue disorders are scarce in sub-Saharan Africa. Our aim was to analyse the published clinical data on systemic sclerosis (SSc) in sub-Saharan Africa. A systematic review was carried out in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. We screened the Embase, PubMed and African Health Sciences databases for literature published until March 2018. Searches produced 1210 publications. After abstract and full-text screenings, 91 publications were analysed, and epidemiological information and clinical features extracted. Publications were mostly publications case reports (36%), cross-sectional studies (26%) and case series (23%) and came predominantly from South Africa (45%), Nigeria (15%) and Senegal (14%). A total of 1884 patients were reported, 66% of patients came from South Africa. The patients were between 4 and 77 years old; 83% of patients were female. Overall, 72% had diffuse SSc. Raynaud´s phenomenon was reported in 78% and skin ulcerations in 42% of patients. Focal skin hypopigmentation was common and telangiectasia not frequent. Interstitial lung involvement was reported in 50%, pulmonary hypertension in 30%, heart involvement in 28% of patients. Oesophageal reflux was observed in 70% and dysphagia in 37% of patients. Antinuclear antibodies were positive in 65% of patients. Anti-centromere autoantibodies (9.2%) and RNA polymerase 3 antibodies (7.1%) were rare and anti-fibrillarin most frequent (16.5%). SSc presentations in sub-Saharan Africa differ from those reported in Europe and America by a frequent diffuse skin involvement, focal skin hypopigmentation and a high prevalence of anti-fibrillarin autoantibodies.

Ocular Manifestations in Rheumatoid Arthritis, Connective Tissue Disease, and Vasculitis: A Systematic Review and Metaanalysis

Objective.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other rheumatic diseases may present with ocular manifestations.

The purpose of our work was to determine the prevalence and type of eye involvement in RA and other connective tissue diseases through a metaanalysis and literature review.

Methods.

A systematic review of the literature was performed using Medline, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library from their inceptions until January 7, 2019. Conjunctivitis, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, xeropthalmia, uveitis, eye hemorrhage, optic neuritis, papilledema, orbital disease, retinal artery/vein occlusion, macular edema, retinitis, chorioretinitis, scleritis, iridocyclitits, choroid hemorrhage, blindness, and amaurosis fugax were searched for prevalence in patients with RA, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), dermatomyositis, polymyositis, systemic sclerosis, Sjögren syndrome (SS), undifferentiated connective tissue disease, giant cell arteritis, granulomatosis polyangiitis (GPA; formerly Wegener granulomatosis), systemic vasculitis, and sarcoidosis.

Results.

There were 3394 studies identified and 65 included. The prevalence of eye involvement was 18% in RA, 26% in GPA, 27% in giant cell arteritis, 27% in sarcoidosis, 31% in SLE, and 35% in APS. The most common manifestation was dry eye syndrome (“dry eye”; keratoconjunctivitis sicca) in most diseases analyzed, with an especially high frequency of 89% in SS. Anterior and posterior uveitis were the most common ocular complications in sarcoidosis, occurring in 16% (95% CI 3–28) and 6% (95% CI 3–9) of patients, respectively.

Conclusion.

Eye involvement is present in approximately one-fifth of patients with RA, and a one-quarter to one-third of patients with connective tissue diseases (other than SS at 89%) and vasculitis.

Case Series and Literature Review of Ophthalmologic Disorders Seen in a Specialist Rheumatology Clinic in Lagos, Nigeria

Purpose: To highlight the pattern and treatment outcomes of ophthalmologic disorders referred to a private specialist rheumatology clinic. Methods: Retrospective review (January 2015-December 2016) of referrals from Eye Foundation Hospital, Lagos to Arthrimed Specialist Clinic, Lagos. Case records were retrieved and relevant information extracted. Ethical standards were observed. Results: Twenty-two referrals (35 eyes) were received out of 643 patients (3.4%) seen during the study period. The majority were female (63.6%) with mean age 48.9 ± 19.3 years and bilateral disease (59%). Diagnoses included uveitis (45.5%), optic neuritis (36.4%), non-specific autoimmune eye disease (9.1%), keratoconjunctivitis sicca (4.5%), and giant cell arteritis (4.5%). Treatment was with steroids and immunosuppressive agents. Fourteen patients improved (63.6%), five remained unchanged (22.7%), while three worsened (13.6%). Conclusions: Our patients were mostly fourth-decade females with bilateral disease. Uveitis was the commonest presentation, and two-thirds of the treated patients improved after treatment. Early specialist referral and co-management of severe autoimmune eye diseases are desirable.

[Mixed connective tissue disease: prevalence and clinical characteristics in African black, study of 7 cases in Gabon and review of the literature]

The literature reports that mixed connective tissue disease seems more frequent in the black population and among Asians. This study aims to determine the prevalence of mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) among connective tissue disorders and all rheumatologic pathologies in a hospital population in Gabon as well as to describe the clinical features of this disease. We conducted a retrospective study by reviewing the medical records of patients treated for mixed connective tissue disease (Kasukawa criteria) and other entities of connective tissue disorders (ACR criteria) in the Division of Rheumatology at the University Hospital in Libreville between January 2010 and December 2015. For each case of MCTD the parameters studied were articular and extra-articular manifestations, anti-U1RNP antibodies levels, patient's evolution. Over a period of 6 years, data were collected by medical records of 7 patients out of 6050 patients and 67 cases of connective tissue disorders, reflecting a prevalence of 0.11% and 10.44% respectively. the 7 patients were women (100%), with an average age of 39.5 years. Articular manifestations included: polyarthritis, myalgias, chubby fingers and Raynaud's phenomenon in 87.5%, 87.5%, 28.6% and 14% respectively. The 7 patients had high anti-U1RNP antibodies levels, ranging between 5 and 35N (N≤ 7 IU). A case of death due to pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) was certified. This is the largest case series of MCTD reported in Black Africa. The disease seems to be rare among the black Africans; the reason could be genetic. The demographic and clinical aspects appear similar to those in Caucasians, Asians and Blacks except for a low frequency of Raynaud?s phenomenon among Blacks.