Correlation between Endophthalmitis and Stroke Development in Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients: A Population-Based...

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Neurology
• Rheumatology

Background:

• Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease.
• Endophthalmitis is a serious ocular inflammation.
• The relationship between endophthalmitis and stroke in AS patients requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between endophthalmitis and stroke development in ankylosing spondylitis patients.
• To determine if endophthalmitis is an independent risk factor for stroke in AS patients.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study using National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) data.
• Included 549 AS patients with endophthalmitis and 2196 AS patients without endophthalmitis.
• Statistical analyses included Fisher's exact test, Pearson's chi-squared test, Cox regression, and Kaplan-Meier analysis.

Main Results:

• The cohort with AS and endophthalmitis showed a significantly increased risk of stroke (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.873; p < 0.001).
• Stroke incidence was 1724.44 per 100,000 person-years in the endophthalmitis group versus 1085.11 per 100,000 person-years in the control group.
• Endophthalmitis was identified as an independent risk factor for stroke in AS patients.

Conclusions:

• Endophthalmitis is associated with a higher risk of stroke in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.
• Endophthalmitis serves as an independent risk factor for stroke in AS patients.
• Further research is recommended to validate these findings and explore underlying mechanisms.