Background andObjectives: This 10-year multicenter retrospective study reviewed the clinical manifestations, diagnostic tests, and treatment modalities of tubercular
uveitis (TBU), including direct
infection and indirect immune-mediated
hypersensitivity to mycobacterial
antigens in Taiwan. Materials and Methods: This retrospective chart review of patients with TBU was conducted at 11 centers from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2017. We used a multiple regression model to analyze which factors influenced best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improvement. Results: A total of 79 eyes from 51 patients were included in the study. The mean age was 48.9 ± 16.4 years. The mean change of LogMAR BCVA at last visit was -0.21 ± 0.45. Diagnostic tools used include chest X-ray, chest computed tomography, Mantoux test,
interferon gamma release test (QuantiFERON-TB
Gold test), intraocular fluid
tuberculosis polymerase chain reaction, and bronchial alveolar lavage. The clinical manifestations included 48%
posterior uveitis and 37%
panuveitis. In the sample, 55% of the cases were bilateral and 45% unilateral. There was 60.76%
retinal vasculitis, 35.44%
choroiditis, 21.52% serpiginous-like
choroiditis, 17.72%
vitreous hemorrhage, 12.66% posterior synechiae, 6.33%
retinal detachment, and 3.80% choroidal
granuloma. Treatment modalities included
rifampicin,
isoniazid,
pyrazinamide,
ethambutol, oral
steroid, posterior
triamcinolone, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,
vitrectomy, and
immunosuppressants. BCVA improved in 53.2% of eyes and remained stable in 32.9% of eyes. In the final model of multiple regression, worse initial BCVA,
pyrazinamide, and receiving
vitrectomy predicted better BCVA improvement.
Ethambutol was associated with worse visual outcomes. Seven eyes experienced recurrence. Conclusions: This is the largest 10-year multicenter retrospective study of TBU in Taiwan to date, demonstrating the distribution of clinical manifestations and clinical associations with better treatment outcomes. The study provides a comprehensive description of TBU phenotypes in Taiwan and highlights considerations for the design of further prospective studies to reliably assess the role of ATT and
vitrectomy in patients with TBU.