Prevalence of eye disease in Brazilian patients with psoriatic arthritis

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:The aim of this study was to report the type and frequency of ocular manifestations in Brazilian psoriatic arthritis patients.METHODS:We conducted a cross-sectional study in a Brazilian tertiary hospital. The test group included 40 patients who had psoriatic arthritis according to the Classification Criteria for Psoriatic Arthritis. A control group of 40 individuals was matched for age and gender. All of the patients underwent ophthalmic evaluation, which included best-corrected visual acuity, slit lamp and fundus examinations, and dry eye diagnostic tests (Schirmer I, tear break-up time and rose bengal). Demographic parameters were also evaluated.RESULTS:The mean age of the patients was 53.9±13.1 years; the mean disease duration was 8±10.5 years. Most of the patients were women (60%), and the majority had polyarticular disease (57.5%). Several ocular abnormalities were found, including punctate keratitis, pinguecula, blepharitis, pterygium, cataract, glaucoma, uveitis, and retinal microvascular abnormalities. There were no significant differences in the rates of these abnormalities compared with the control group, however. The Keratoconjunctivitis sicca and dry eye diagnostic tests were more often positive in the patients with psoriatic arthritis than in the control group.CONCLUSIONS:In this study, keratoconjunctivitis sicca was the most common ocular finding related to psoriatic arthritis. Therefore, we recommend early ophthalmologic evaluations for all psoriatic arthritis patients who complain of eye symptoms.

Comorbidities in psoriasis

“…[45] Lima et al found keratoconjunctivitis sicca to be the most common ocular finding related to PsA. [46] LONGEVITY Psoriatic patients may have decreased longevity. Riech reported that co-morbidities are likely to contribute to the 3-to 4-year reduction in life expectancy, in patients of severe psoriasis.…”

Comprehensive Treatment of Psoriatic Arthritis: Managing Comorbidities and Extraarticular Manifestations

“…Similarly, there are no clear guidelines regarding use of NSAID in patients with IBD as it is unclear whether NSAID may exacerbate IBD symptoms 75,76 . The ophthalmic manifestations of PsA include uveitis, keratitis, blepharitis, conjunctivitis, episcleritis, and scleritis 19,20,21 . The prevalence and spectrum of autoimmune ophthalmic disease in PsA is significant and the associated potential morbidity is high 19,77 .…”

“…Diabetes. Autoimmune ophthalmic disease, including uveitis, keratitis, blepharitis, conjunctivitis, episcleritis, and scleritis, have been observed 19,20,21 . Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).…”

Corneal Involvement in Systemic Inflammatory Diseases

“…Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) is usually the most common ocular finding in the presence of systemic inflammatory diseases according to several studies. [13][14][15][16][17] It is classically described as an aqueous tear deficiency with poor correlation between signs and symptoms. 18,19 Reduced lacrimal tear secretion and volume causes tear hyperosmolarity that stimulates a cascade of inflammatory events and the generation of inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-9).…”