[A symptom oriented diagnostic approach to the workup of secondary forms of uveitis -- an internet based program for...

The long list of ophthalmologic findings and symptoms at a baseline examination of a patient with uveitis can have an impact on further laboratory workup and differential diagnosis.

Based on publications and previous work, a decision tree was transformed into the expert system shell D3. A web-based Java Servlet was then programmed and published on our website (http://www.uveitiscenter.de at DiagnoseFinder). Ophthalmologic findings and symptoms of the patient can be checked with this online questionnaire, and recommendations for further laboratory tests and further care of the patient received.

Retrospective analysis of 62 patients with characteristic features of secondary uveitis showed a good correlation between the actual diagnosis of the patient and the diagnosis found by the program. In 74% of cases, the correct diagnosis was found among other options. In 37%, only the correct diagnosis was found, while in 37% the correct diagnosis was found among other probable diagnoses. Not all forms of secondary uveitis were found easily by the software.

This program is meant to be an easily accessible and simply employable help for the care of patients with a secondary form of uveitis. It is intended to be a support not only for residents in particular, but also for ophthalmologists in private practice who rarely treat patients with uveitis.