Smoking delays the response to treatment in episcleritis and scleritis

To evaluate the influence of smoking on comorbidity, treatment, visual and general outcome in patients with scleritis.

The smoking habits of 103 patients with a diagnosis of episcleritis or scleritis were evaluated. These patients were treated by one ruling protocol at the Leiden University Medical Center between 1997 and 2000. Medical records of each patient were evaluated in detail. Data on possible factors concerning smoking were collected by postal questionnaire.

Of all 103 patients diagnosed with either episcleritis or scleritis, 41 (39.8%) were smoking during treatment of the scleral inflammation. In total, 19 patients (18.4%) had a smoking history while 43 (41.7%) patients have never smoked. The response to any of the given medications could be delayed by at least 4 weeks in many smoking patients (odds ratio (OR) 5.4 [95% confidence interval 1.9-15.5]), particularly those with posterior scleritis. Smoking patients above the age of 48 years were even more likely to respond belatedly to any given therapy (OR 6.6 [2.1-20.7]). However, having a smoking history did not delay the response. Furthermore, smoking did not worsen the visual prognosis and was not associated with additional recurrences or ocular complications after successful treatment.

Although scleritis patients who smoked during treatment eventually responded, there was frequently over a month's delay before the medication became effective when compared to nonsmokers. This was irrespective of the type of disease or given therapy. As a consequence, smokers required more intensive therapy than those who did not smoke.