Changing face of non-infectious pediatric uveitis in the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods: a comparison study

ObjectiveOur aim in this study was to reveal the clinical features of pediatric uveitis in the pandemic period and to compare it with the pre-pandemic era.MethodsThis retrospective study included 187 children diagnosed with uveitis between the 11(th) of March 2017 and the 11(th) of March 2022. The patients were divided into two groups based on the date of diagnosis as follows; Group 1: Patients diagnosed in the pre-pandemic period (11(th) March 2017-11(th) March 2020); Group 2: Patients diagnosed in the pandemic period (12(th) March 2020-11(th) March 2022). Demographic data, characteristics of uveitis, underlying diseases, systemic treatment modalities, and complications were compared between the two groups.ResultsA total of 187 (pre-pandemic 71, and pandemic 114) pediatric uveitis patients were recruited to the study. Fifty one percent (51%) of the patients were female. The number of patients diagnosed with uveitis increased approximately twice during the pandemic period compared to the pre-pandemic period. The frequency of anterior uveitis was found to be significantly higher in the pandemic period than in the pre-pandemic period (p = 0.037). It was mostly presented as symptomatic uveitis. There was a decrease in the diagnosis of JIA-related uveitis. ANA positivity increased in the pandemic period (p = 0.029). The response to treatment was better and the complication rate decreased in the pandemic period.ConclusionThe present study involved a large number of pediatric patients with uveitis. There are some differences in the characteristics of pediatric uveitis cases comparing the pandemic period and the pre-pandemic period. This increased frequency and changing clinical features of pediatric uveitis seems to be a result of COVID-19 infection.

Automated summary

The aim of this study was to compare the clinical features of pediatric uveitis between the pandemic and pre-pandemic periods. A total of 187 children diagnosed with uveitis were included in this retrospective study. The results showed that the number of uveitis cases doubled during the pandemic period compared to the pre-pandemic period, and the frequency of anterior uveitis was significantly higher in the pandemic period.