Epidemiology of Uveitis and Extra-Uveal Inflammation in a Referral Center in Central Italy

The epidemiology of uveitis remains highly variable, influenced by geographic location, genetic predisposition, environmental conditions, and socioeconomic context leading to significant differences in the distribution of clinical forms. The aim of this report was to analyse the epidemiological profile of uveitis at the tertiary referral center in Italy, providing a comprehensive overview of prevalence, clinical classifications, and etiological diagnoses.

A retrospective study had been performed in a reference uveitis center in Italy, collecting data from February 2019 to December 2024. Demographic data, aetiology diagnosis and clinical characteristic were reported.

Study enrolled 752 patients with ocular inflammation, 623 of whom had uveitis. Female represented the 58.51%, while the majority of patients were Caucasian (92.15%). Mean age was 51 years with middle-aged group represented the 68.75%. Noninfectious, including idiopathic forms, was the main aetiology (77.13%), followed by infectious (22.87%). Anterior uveitis (AU) was the 56.34%, posterior uveitis the 26.48%, panuveitis 11.57% and intermediate (IU) 5.61%. A statistically significant association was found between the aetiology and the localization (p < 0.0001). Herpetic infectious, HLA-B27-related, Fuchs, Toxoplasma and Sarcoidosis represented the main diagnosis.

The study documented the epidemiology trend of uveitis, comparing with other European studies. Females and middle-aged group were the most frequent involvement groups. Noninfectious disease represented the primary etiologic cause. The AU was the main localization of inflammation. These results contribute to a better understanding of the distribution of uveitis in the region and help improve diagnostic and therapeutic processes.