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PloS One 2023Ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) is caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. OT is the leading cause of posterior uveitis globally; it is a recurrent disease that may result... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) is caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. OT is the leading cause of posterior uveitis globally; it is a recurrent disease that may result in visual impairment and blindness. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to summarize and evaluate the risk factors for recurrences, visual impairment, and blindness described in the literature worldwide.
METHODS AND FINDINGS
We performed a systematic literature search in PubMed, Embase, VHL, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and DANS EASY Archive. All studies reporting patients with clinically and serologically confirmed OT presenting any clinical or paraclinical factor influencing recurrences, visual impairment, and blindness were included. Studies presenting secondary data, case reports, and case series were excluded. An initial selection was made by title and abstract, and then the studies were reviewed by full text where the eligible studies were selected. Then, the risk of bias was assessed through validated tools. Data were extracted using a validated extraction format. Qualitative synthesis and quantitative analysis were done. This study was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022327836).
RESULTS
Seventy two studies met the inclusion criteria. Fifty-three were summarized in the qualitative synthesis in three sections: clinical and environmental factors, parasite and host factors, and treatment-related factors. Of the 72 articles, 39 were included in the meta-analysis, of which 14 were conducted in South America, 13 in Europe, four in Asia, three multinational, two in North America and Central America, respectively, and only one in Africa. A total of 4,200 patients with OT were analyzed, mean age ranged from 7.3 to 65.1 year of age, with similar distribution by sex. The frequency of recurrences in patients with OT was 49% (95% CI 40%-58%), being more frequent in the South American population than in Europeans. Additionally, visual impairment was presented in 35% (95% CI 25%-48%) and blindness in 20% (95% CI 13%-30%) of eyes, with a similar predominance in South Americans than in Europeans. On the other hand, having lesions near the macula or adjacent to the optic nerve had an OR of 4.83 (95% CI; 2.72-8.59) for blindness, similar to having more than one recurrence that had an OR of 3.18 (95% CI; 1.59-6.38). Finally, the prophylactic therapy with Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole versus the placebo showed a protective factor of 83% during the first year and 87% in the second year after treatment.
CONCLUSION
Our Systematic Review showed that clinical factors such as being older than 40 years, patients with de novo OT lesions or with less than one year after the first episode, macular area involvement, lesions greater than 1 disc diameter, congenital toxoplasmosis, and bilateral compromise had more risk of recurrences. Also, environmental and parasite factors such as precipitations, geographical region where the infection is acquired, and more virulent strains confer greater risk of recurrences. Therefore, patients with the above mentioned clinical, environmental, and parasite factors could benefit from using prophylactic therapy.
Topics: Humans; Toxoplasmosis, Ocular; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Blindness; Vision, Low; Risk Factors; Recurrence
PubMed: 37011101
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0283845 -
Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology 2021Children and adults may develop Behçet's disease (BD), often with ocular involvement such as uveitis. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and type of ocular... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVES
Children and adults may develop Behçet's disease (BD), often with ocular involvement such as uveitis. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and type of ocular manifestations in childhood and adult BD.
METHODS
Medline, Web of Science and Cochrane databases were searched from inception to October 5, 2018 to identify publications related to Behçet's disease comprising minimum twenty patients and providing the frequency of ocular manifestations (OC). Random effects models were used to combine the prevalence of OC in adults and children with BD. Heterogeneity was evaluated using I2.
RESULTS
The search resulted in 3129 articles, of which 51 were included in meta-analysis. OCs were slightly more frequent in childhood onset BD with the mean [95% Confidence Interval] frequency of 45 [34-56%] compared to 36 [29-43%] in adults, however, this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.198). In both children and adults, posterior uveitis (children 27% vs. adults 25%, and retinal vasculitis in adults 16%) was the most common ocular manifestation, followed by anterior uveitis (children 18% vs. adults 23%). When comparing the distribution of OC in Behcet's in adults, there was geographic variation where OC were higher in Turkey and the Middle East 42%, followed by Europe and North America (36%), North Africa 26% and East Asia 25% but not significantly (p=0.27).
CONCLUSIONS
Ocular manifestations, predominantly uveitis; are common in BD. Ocular manifestations are not proportionately more frequent in adults with BD along the ancient Silk Road.
Topics: Adult; Behcet Syndrome; Child; Humans; Prevalence; Retinal Vasculitis; Uveitis; Uveitis, Posterior
PubMed: 34596037
DOI: 10.55563/clinexprheumatol/pt60bc -
Systematic Reviews Jul 2021Ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) is the most common cause of posterior uveitis, which leads to visual impairment in a large proportion of patients. Antibiotics and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) is the most common cause of posterior uveitis, which leads to visual impairment in a large proportion of patients. Antibiotics and corticosteroids lower the risk of permanent visual loss by controlling infection and inflammation. However, there remains disagreement regarding optimal antibiotic therapy for OT. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to determine the effects and safety of existing antibiotic treatment regimens for OT.
METHODS
MEDLINE, EMBASE, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, LILACS, WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform portal, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Gray Literature in Europe ("OpenGrey") were searched for relevant studies; manual searches of reference lists were performed for studies identified by other methods. All published and unpublished randomized controlled trials that compared antibiotic schemes known to be effective in OT at any dosage, duration, and administration route were included. Studies comparing antibiotics with placebo were excluded. This review followed standard methodological procedures recommended by the Cochrane group.
RESULTS
Ten studies were included in the narrative summary, of which four were included for quantitative synthesis (meta-analysis). Interventions were organized into three groups: intravitreal clindamycin versus pyrimethamine + sulfadiazine, trimethoprim + sulfamethoxazole versus other antibiotics, and other interventions. The first comparison favored intravitreal clindamycin (Mean difference (MD) = 0.10 logMAR; 95% confidence interval = 0.01 to 0.22). However, this finding lacks clinical relevance. Other outcomes showed no statistically significant differences between the treatment groups. In general, the risk of performance bias was high in evaluated studies, and the quality of the evidence found was low to very low.
CONCLUSIONS
No antibiotic scheme was superior to others, and the selection of a treatment regimen depends on multiple factors; therefore, treatment should be chosen based on safety, sulfa allergies, and availability.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Clindamycin; Europe; Humans; Toxoplasmosis, Ocular
PubMed: 34275483
DOI: 10.1186/s13643-021-01758-7 -
European Journal of Ophthalmology 2013We describe the worldwide epidemiology of uveitis through a systematic literature review. (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
We describe the worldwide epidemiology of uveitis through a systematic literature review.
METHODS
Data obtained from the most relevant studies published until November 2012 were reported.
RESULTS
Results of our research were structured in sections about the epidemiology of uveitis by anatomical location of inflammation (anterior, intermediate, posterior, and panuveitis), type of inflammation (infectious and noninfectious), and by age (children and elderly). Difficulties encountered analyzing the different epidemiologic studies were discussed in a dedicated section.
CONCLUSIONS
Limited information is available regarding the epidemiology of uveitis. Worldwide epidemiologic studies may help the clinician in the management of patients with inflammatory ocular diseases, enabling the comparison of different uveitis entities.
Topics: Age Distribution; Global Health; Humans; Uveitis
PubMed: 23661536
DOI: 10.5301/ejo.5000278 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Feb 2016Uveitis is a term used to describe a heterogeneous group of intraocular inflammatory diseases of the anterior, intermediate, and posterior uveal tract (iris, ciliary... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Uveitis is a term used to describe a heterogeneous group of intraocular inflammatory diseases of the anterior, intermediate, and posterior uveal tract (iris, ciliary body, choroid). Uveitis is the fifth most common cause of vision loss in high-income countries, accounting for 5% to 20% of legal blindness, with the highest incidence of disease in the working-age population.Corticosteroids are the mainstay of acute treatment for all anatomical subtypes of non-infectious uveitis and can be administered orally, topically with drops or ointments, by periocular (around the eye) or intravitreal (inside the eye) injection, or by surgical implantation.
OBJECTIVES
To determine the efficacy and safety of steroid implants in people with chronic non-infectious posterior uveitis, intermediate uveitis, and panuveitis.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched CENTRAL (which contains the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Trials Register) (Issue 10, 2015), Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid MEDLINE In-Process and Other Non-Indexed Citations, Ovid MEDLINE Daily, Ovid OLDMEDLINE (January 1946 to November 2015), EMBASE (January 1980 to November 2015), PubMed (1948 to November 2015), Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature Database (LILACS) (1982 to November 2015), the metaRegister of Controlled Trials (mRCT) (www.controlled-trials.com) (last searched 15 April 2013), ClinicalTrials.gov (www.clinicaltrials.gov), and the World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) (www.who.int/ictrp/search/en). We did not use any date or language restrictions in the electronic search for studies. We last searched the electronic databases on 6 November 2015.We also searched reference lists of included study reports, citation databases, and abstracts and clinical study presentations from professional meetings.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomized controlled trials comparing either fluocinolone acetonide (FA) or dexamethasone intravitreal implants with standard-of-care therapy with at least six months of follow-up after treatment. We included studies that enrolled participants of all ages who had chronic non-infectious posterior uveitis, intermediate uveitis, or panuveitis with vision that was better than hand-motion.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently reviewed studies for inclusion. Two review authors independently extracted data and assessed the risk of bias for each study.
MAIN RESULTS
We included data from two studies (619 eyes of 401 participants) that compared FA implants with standard-of-care therapy. Both studies used similar standard-of-care therapy that included administration of prednisolone and, if needed, immunosuppressive agents. The studies included participants from Australia, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States. We assessed both studies at high risk of performance and detection bias.Only one study reported our primary outcome, recurrence of uveitis at any point during the study through 24 months. The evidence, judged as moderate-quality, showed that a FA implant probably prevents recurrence of uveitis compared with standard-of-care therapy (risk ratio (RR) 0.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.14 to 0.59; 132 eyes). Both studies reported safety outcomes, and moderate-quality evidence showed increased risks of needing cataract surgery (RR 2.98, 95% CI 2.33 to 3.79; 371 eyes) and surgery to lower intraocular pressure (RR 7.48, 95% CI 3.94 to 14.19; 599 eyes) in the implant group compared with standard-of-care therapy through two years of follow-up. No studies compared dexamethasone implants with standard-of-care therapy.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
After considering both benefits and harms reported from two studies in which corticosteroids implants were compared with standard-of-care therapy, we are unable to conclude that the implants are superior to traditional systemic therapy for the treatment of non-infectious uveitis. These studies exhibited heterogeneity in design and outcomes that measured efficacy. Pooled findings regarding safety outcomes suggest increased risks of post-implant surgery for cataract and high intraocular pressure compared with standard-of-care therapy.
Topics: Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Adult; Chronic Disease; Drug Implants; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Prednisolone; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Recurrence; Standard of Care; Uveitis
PubMed: 26866343
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010469.pub2 -
Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and... Jan 2020This study aims to determine if the intravitreal dexamethasone implant (DEX implant, Ozurdex; Allergan, Inc., Irvine, California) is effective for treating intermediate,...
BACKGROUND
This study aims to determine if the intravitreal dexamethasone implant (DEX implant, Ozurdex; Allergan, Inc., Irvine, California) is effective for treating intermediate, posterior, and panuveitis as a monotherapy or adjunctive treatment to systemic immunomodulatory therapies.
METHODS
A systematic review using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PubMed database searches was conducted with the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine Levels of Evidence criteria to select publications. Available background information and patient data from each study was tabulated. Outcomes studied were central retinal thickness (CRT), best corrected visual acuity, intraocular inflammation (anterior chamber cells, vitreous haze), number of patients with prior and concomitant immunomodulatory treatments, intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation (≥ 25 mmHg), and other adverse effects associated with the implant.
RESULTS
One hundred ninety-five (61.51%) patients had previous immunomodulatory treatment while 232 (64.8%) were treated with concomitant immunomodulatory therapy with the DEX implant. CRT decreased by an average of 198.65 μm (42.74%). Visual acuity improved to an average of 0.451 (logMAR) or 20/57 (Snellen) which is a 43.11% improvement from baseline. One hundred seventy-three (59%) of eyes were quiescent at the end of the trials, of which 40 (13.7%) previously inflamed eyes became quiescent. Elevated IOP occurred in 91 (20.6%). The most common adverse events were cataract/posterior subcapsular opacities in 47 (11.03%) patients and conjunctival hemorrhage in 24 (5.44%) patients.
CONCLUSIONS
The DEX implant is an effective medication for the treatment of posterior segment uveitis, uveitic macular edema, and results in improved visual acuity. Development of elevated IOP and cataract should be closely monitored as they are tangible risks associated with the DEX implant. This study was not able to determine whether the DEX implant was more effective as a monotherapy or as an adjunctive therapy to systemic immunomodulatory treatment.
PubMed: 31925591
DOI: 10.1186/s12348-019-0189-4 -
Current Pharmaceutical Design 2017Tobacco smoking has detrimental influence on human health. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Tobacco smoking has detrimental influence on human health.
AIM
The analysis of influence of tobacco smoking on retina diseases, uveitis, optic neuropathies, and thyroidassociated orbitopathy in adults and children.
METHODS
A comprehensive review of the literature performed through MEDLINE and PubMed searches, covering the years 2000-2016.
RESULTS
In adults, tobacco smoking is a strong risk factor for age-related macular degeneration, polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy, uveitis and inflamed cystoid macular edema as well as Grave`s ophthalmopathy. Tobacco smoking reduces thickness of the retina and choroid, plays a role in episcleritis, sclerits, tobacco optic neuropathy, and Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy. In children, maternal smoking is a significant risk factor for stages 3 and 4 retinopathy of prematurity, optic nerve hypoplasia among babies with a birth weight over 2500 g and thinner retinal nerve fiber layer.
CONCLUSION
Tobacco smoking plays an important role in the pathogenesis of many posterior eye segment diseases leading to blindness in adults and children.
Topics: Humans; Graves Ophthalmopathy; Optic Nerve Diseases; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Retinal Diseases; Risk Factors; Tobacco Smoking; Uveitis
PubMed: 28078992
DOI: 10.2174/1381612823666170111095723 -
Graefe's Archive For Clinical and... Jul 2022We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the outcome of macular hole (MH) treatment in eyes with uveitis. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the outcome of macular hole (MH) treatment in eyes with uveitis.
DATA SOURCE
We searched PubMed and Embase databases from inception through August 15, 2021.
STUDY SELECTION
We included eyes with MHs secondary to uveitis that were managed medically or underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). We excluded eyes with idiopathic MH and those secondary to causes other than uveitis.
RESULTS
Of 27 articles, we identified 86 eyes with MH secondary to uveitis that received either conservative medical treatment alone or PPV with adequate follow-up. The mean (± SD) age of patients included in this review was 46.6 (± 16.8) years; 60.5% were males. The most common etiology of uveitis was Behçet's disease (34.6%) and toxoplasmosis (19.7%). The most common anatomical location of uveitis was posterior (59.3%) followed by panuveitis (35.2%). The mean (± SD) baseline LogMAR vision was 1.1 (± 0.5). Conservative medical treatment was employed in 34.9%, while PPV was performed in 65.1% of eyes. Overall, the mean (SD) LogMAR vision improved from 1.1 (± 0.5) at baseline to 0.7 (± 0.5) after treatment. Inflammation-related MHs were closed in 40% of eyes after conservative therapy and in 87.5% of eyes after PPV. Visual improvement occurred in most eyes (83.9%) that had successful closure of their MH.
CONCLUSIONS
Visual improvement occurs in most eyes that had successful closure of their inflammation-related MH. Conservative medical control of uveitis may lead to closure of inflammation-related MHs and is an important step prior to surgery, if required. Surgical intervention for inflammation-related MHs is associated with good functional and anatomical results.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Inflammation; Male; Middle Aged; Retinal Perforations; Retrospective Studies; Treatment Outcome; Uveitis; Visual Acuity; Vitrectomy
PubMed: 35175410
DOI: 10.1007/s00417-022-05590-0 -
Genetics in Medicine : Official Journal... Mar 2022This study aimed to systematically review and summarize gene therapy treatment for monogenic retinal and optic nerve diseases. (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
This study aimed to systematically review and summarize gene therapy treatment for monogenic retinal and optic nerve diseases.
METHODS
This review was prospectively registered (CRD42021229812). A comprehensive literature search was performed in Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, Cochrane Central, and clinical trial registries (February 2021). Clinical studies describing DNA-based gene therapy treatments for monogenic posterior ocular diseases were eligible for inclusion. Risk of bias evaluation was performed. Data synthesis was undertaken applying Synthesis Without Meta-analysis guidelines.
RESULTS
This study identified 47 full-text publications, 50 conference abstracts, and 54 clinical trial registry entries describing DNA-based ocular gene therapy treatments for 16 different genetic variants. Study summaries and visual representations of safety and efficacy outcomes are presented for 20 unique full-text publications in RPE65-mediated retinal dystrophies, choroideremia, Leber hereditary optic neuropathy, rod-cone dystrophy, achromatopsia, and X-linked retinoschisis. The most common adverse events were related to lid/ocular surface/cornea abnormalities in subretinal gene therapy trials and anterior uveitis in intravitreal gene therapy trials.
CONCLUSION
There is a high degree of variability in ocular monogenic gene therapy trials with respect to study design, statistical methodology, and reporting of safety and efficacy outcomes. This review improves the accessibility and transparency in interpreting gene therapy trials to date.
Topics: Color Vision Defects; Genetic Therapy; Humans; Optic Nerve Diseases; Retina; Retinal Dystrophies
PubMed: 34906485
DOI: 10.1016/j.gim.2021.10.013 -
The British Journal of Ophthalmology Aug 2020Biologics are increasingly used in management of Behçet's Disease (BD) including ocular BD, but the evidence base is limited, mostly from studies of uveitis and BD...
BACKGROUND
Biologics are increasingly used in management of Behçet's Disease (BD) including ocular BD, but the evidence base is limited, mostly from studies of uveitis and BD manifestations.
OBJECTIVE
To review the evidence base for biologics in the treatment of ocular BD.
METHODS
Systematic literature search was made using exploded key words-Behçet's, ocular, biologics in MEDLINE, Cochrane library, Database of Abstracts Reviews and Effects, Clinical Trials.gov, Science Direct and Google Scholar. There was no limitation on region, language or date (Search updated 16th October 2018). Literature retrieval was restricted to randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of biologics.
RESULTS
Of 237 papers retrieved, eight met the inclusion criteria. RCTs on interferon alpha 2a (INF-α 2a), adalimumab, secukinumab, gevokizumab, rituximab and daclizumab were retrieved (two for adalimumab and gevokizumab). The outcome measures were not met for secukinumab, daclizumab and gevokizumab. Rituximab and INF-α 2a showed promising preliminary results but sufficiently powered RCTs are needed to provide adequate evidence of efficacy. The RCTs on adalimumab did not evaluate efficacy for BD uveitis specifically, hence are of limited value for this review.
CONCLUSION
Some biologics show promise in treating BD uveitis, but more RCTs are needed for firm conclusions about efficacy. A phase IV study or, registry of adalimumab could provide data on its efficacy in BD uveitis compared to other forms.
Topics: Adalimumab; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Behcet Syndrome; Biological Factors; Biological Therapy; Daclizumab; Humans; Interferon-alpha; Rituximab; Uveitis
PubMed: 31676596
DOI: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2019-314154