Oligoarthropathy with chronic iridocyclitis--a disease only of childhood?

The association between chronic iridocyclitis and pauciarticular disease in childhood is well recognized. In view of this important subset of childhood arthritis, a comparable entity was searched for in adults. Twenty-three rheumatologists and 149 ophthalmologists were contacted in the San Francisco Bay area regarding the possible presence of this association in their catchment area of several million adult individuals. Replies were received from 15 and 41, respectively. Following detailed questionnaire and clinical evaluation of potential patients, only 2 such subjects were identified. These probably reflect a chance occurrence of 2 prevalent conditions. The apparent absence of the iridocyclitis/oligoarthritis subset in adults is in stark contrast to the situation in children.