Late recurrence in birdshot chorioretinopathy

To compare the demographic, clinical, ancillary testing, and multimodal imaging characteristics of birdshot chorioretinopathy (BSCR) patients with late recurrence and birdshot patients with durable remission.

This was a retrospective observational case series. The above-mentioned parameters were studied in BSCR patients with late recurrence (group 1) and BSCR patients with durable remission (group 2).

Fifty-five patients were included in this study. The average age of patients was 62.1 ± 11.1 years (range, 35-88 years). Groups 1 and 2 included 20 (36.4%) and 35 (63.6%) patients, respectively. In group 1, the average age of patients was 60.5 ± 10.39 years (range, 35-79 years). The female-to-male ratio was 16:4. In group 2, the average age of patients was 63.1 ± 11.6 years (range, 37-88 years). The female-to-male ratio was 22:13. None of the demographic, clinical, ancillary testing, and multimodal imaging parameters were statistically significantly different between the two groups. Using a receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve, we found that the ideal duration of successful therapy to induce durable remission was 30 months with 70% sensitivity and 40% specificity (ideal point on the curve). A Kaplan-Meier survival curve demonstrated that late recurrence was seen within 30 months after stopping successful treatment of patients with BSCR.

There are no demographic, clinical, ancillary testing, or multimodal imaging characteristics that can predict late recurrence in BSCR patients. However, we found that 30 months of successful treatment may be ideal and recommended.