Comparison Between Behçet's Uveitis Patients with Immunologically Positive and Immunologically Negative Tuberculosis...

To evaluate the clinical features of patients with Behçet's Uveitis in the presence or absence of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI).

A retrospective comparative study was carried out, examining patients with Behçet's disease who visited the Uveitis subspecialty clinic at Kasr Al-Ainy Hospital, Cairo University Hospitals. A total of 20 consecutive patients with positive tuberculosis immunology (group 1) and 20 consecutive patients with negative tuberculosis immunology (group 2) were included.

Patients in group 2 showed a higher incidence of macular edema (p value = 0.013) and were more likely to receive systemic corticosteroids compared to group 1 (p value = 0.011). Conversely, vascular occlusion was more prevalent among group 1 patients (p value = 0.044). There was a significant increase in the use of systemic corticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs, biologics, and anti-TB medications from the initial visit to the last visit (p value < 0.001). Genital ulcers, oral ulcers, GIT ulcers, and nodular erythema decreased significantly by the last visit compared to the initial presentation (p value < 0.05). Significant differences in laboratory findings such as anemia, high ESR, high C-reactive protein, and high HBA1c were observed between the two groups (p value < 0.001).

Patients with immunologically negative TB tests were more likely to develop macular edema, whereas those with immunologically positive TB tests had a higher risk of vascular occlusion. Additionally, patients who have immunologically positive TB tests often present with elevated inflammatory markers like high ESR and C-reactive protein.