[Complications of uveitis: prevalence and risk factors in a series of 398 cases]

To estimate the rate of complications and establish risk factors for their development in patients with uveitis.

Prospective study of a cohort of 398 patients (413 eyes) that were reviewed from January 2000 to October 2007 and monitored during a period of at least one month. Demographic data, laterality, course (acute, subacute, chronic), location, diagnosis (idiopathic, infectious, ocular origin, systemic origin, others) and development of complications (cataract, cystoid macular edema, macular complications, retinal complications and others) were evaluated.

After a mean follow-up of 35.2 months (range 1-160), 25% of patients developed one or more of the following complications: cataract 8.5%, macular edema 6.1%, macular complications (epiretinal membranes, choroidal neovascular membranes, macular necrosis) 4.1%, retinal complications (retinal detachment, retinal neovascularization, vitreous hemorrhage, retinal tears, retinal vascular occlusions) 4.1%, glaucoma or ocular hypertension 3.6%, and others 1.5%. Risk factors for development of uveitis complications were chronic course OR 6.37 (3.25-12.47) P <0.0001, bilaterality OR 1.98 (1.03-3.08) P =0.039, subacute course OR 1.94 (0.02-4.08) P=0.08, and panuveitis OR 1,92 (0.99-4.80) P=0.161.

In our patients, cases involving chronic and bilateral uveitis were more prone to develop complications, with cataracts being the most frequent complication (Arch Soc Esp Oftalmol 2009; 84: 523-528).