Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Epidemiology of episcleritis and scleritis in urban Australia.

IMPORTANCE: The epidemiology of episcleritis and scleritis in Australia is largely unknown.

BACKGROUND: To determine the incidence, prevalence and clinical characteristics of episcleritis and scleritis in Melbourne.

DESIGN: Retrospective longitudinal study.

PARTICIPANTS: Patients aged ≥18 years with episcleritis or scleritis seen at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital from November 2014 to October 2015.

METHODS: Medical record review confirmed clinical diagnosis and characteristics. Incidence and prevalence were calculated using estimates of the adult population in areas of Melbourne with ≥30 ocular presentations/year to the emergency department.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Diagnosis of active episcleritis or scleritis, aetiology, ocular complications and treatments.

RESULTS: From a general population of 3 408 068, we confirmed 149 new and 23 pre-existing cases of active episcleritis, and 35 new and 23 pre-existing cases of active scleritis. Incidence per 100 000 person-years was 4.4 (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.7-5.1) for episcleritis and 1.0 (95% CI 0.7-1.4) for scleritis, while 12-month prevalence was 5.1 (95% CI 4.3-5.9) and 1.7 (1.3-2.2) per 100 000 persons, respectively. Systemic disease was associated with 10% of episcleritis compared with 34% of scleritis (P < .001). Ocular complications were seen in 3% (6/184) of episcleritis eyes and 44% (32/72) of scleritis eyes, with the commonest being anterior uveitis (12/72) and ocular hypertension (14/72). At presentation, scleritis patients were commonly treated with oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (60%) and prednisolone (19%). By 12 months, 24% of scleritis patients required immunosuppressants.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Rates of episcleritis and scleritis in our single-centre Australian study were low. Episcleritis was usually benign, whereas scleritis had increased ocular complications and systemic disease.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app