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Uveitis Etiology in China: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Tom Liba1, Tal Elkobi2, Alon Gorenshtein3,4
1Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel.
Seminars in Ophthalmology
|June 17, 2026
Summary
Uveitis in China is primarily idiopathic (41.75%), with autoimmune conditions like Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome and Behçet's disease being the most common causes. Infectious etiologies are less prevalent. This study outlines the distinct epidemiological profile of uveitis in the region.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Immunology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Uveitis is a significant cause of vision loss globally.
- Understanding the specific etiologic profile of uveitis in different geographic regions is crucial for targeted management and research.
- China, with its large population, presents a unique demographic for studying uveitis causes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define the etiologic profile of uveitis in China.
- To systematically review and pool data on the causes of uveitis from studies conducted in China.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review and meta-analysis guided by Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.
- Searched major databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and CNKI from January 2005 to January 2025.
- Pooled proportions of uveitis etiologies from eligible cross-sectional and cohort studies, assessing heterogeneity with I² statistics.
Main Results:
- Ten studies (2005-2025) with sample sizes ranging from 144 to 15,373 met the inclusion criteria.
- Idiopathic uveitis was the most common diagnosis, accounting for 41.75% of cases.
- Key autoimmune causes included Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) syndrome (14.12%), Behçet's disease (7.7%), and Ankylosing spondylitis (5.75%).
- Infectious causes like herpetic uveitis (2.22%), acute retinal necrosis (ARN) (0.94%), and syphilis (1.03%) were less frequent, with significant center-to-center variations.
Conclusions:
- Uveitis in China is predominantly idiopathic, comprising over 41% of cases.
- Autoimmune conditions, particularly VKH syndrome and Behçet's disease, represent the leading specific etiologies.
- The epidemiological profile of uveitis in China is distinct, emphasizing the need for region-specific research and clinical approaches.
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