Ocular Manifestations Related to Antibodies Positivity and Inflammatory Biomarkers in a Rheumatological Cohort

Abstract

Purpose Ocular involvement is frequent in autoimmune diseases and even can be the first manifestation. There are multiple descriptions in the literature around the world regarding this topic. However, we evidenced a lack of studies analyzing the relationship between the ocular manifestations and systemic biomarkers, especially in Latinamerica. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the relationship between the positivity of inflammatory biomarkers and the ocular manifestations in a Colombian cohort of rheumatological patients. Patients and Methods We conducted an observational, descriptive, non-comparative cross-sectional study in a rheumatology center, in Bogotá, Colombia, from 2013 to 2019. We calculated a sample size of 797 patients to assess the prevalence of ocular manifestations and inflammatory biomarkers. We performed univariate analyses for categorical and continuous variables and bivariate analyses using the Chi-square and Fisher’s exact test for categorical variables. Results Women represented 84% of the population, and the mean age was 54.61± 15.64 years. Of 797 patients, 21.45% reported one or more ophthalmological diagnoses, being keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) the most common (15.93%), followed by uveitis, and cataract (1.38%, each one). Regarding ophthalmological symptoms, 35% presented at least one, being dry eye sensation (DE) the most common (30.86%), followed by ocular pain (2.76%), red eye, and decreased visual acuity (2.63%, each one). The antibodies or inflammatory biomarkers most frequently found were antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) (35.3%), C-reactive protein (28.7%), and rheumatoid factor (27.9%). We found statistical associations between consumption of complement 3, anti-CCP, anti-RO, and anti-LA antibodies with ocular manifestations such as photophobia, DE, conjunctivitis, KCS, uveitis, retinal vasculitis, and maculopathy. Conclusion Ocular manifestations are frequently found in patients with positive antibodies and inflammatory biomarkers. Our results suggest antibodies and inflammatory molecules could be biomarkers for ocular manifestations in patients with rheumatological diseases. This study provides the basis for future longitudinal studies.

Prevalence of Dry Eye Symptoms and Associated Risk Factors among University Students in Poland

“…Responses to every question ranged from 0, which represents "none of the time", to 4, which represents "all of the time". The final score ranges from 0 to 100 (sum of the 12 questions multiplied by 25 and divided by 12, and then rounded to the next integer) with higher scores representing greater disability: normal (0-12), mild (13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22), moderate (23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32), severe . This study adopted the criteria followed by other authors, whereby symptomatic DED is defined as any OSDI score above 12 [13,15].…”

“…Females are more vulnerable to DED due to the effects of sex hormones (e.g., androgens, estrogens), hypothalamicpituitary hormones, glucocorticoids, insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1 and thyroid hormones, as well as to the sex chromosome complement, sex-specific autosomal factors and epigenetics [23]. Women are also more prone to systemic conditions that promote DES, such as autoimmune diseases, allergies, or psychiatric disorders [24]. Recently, Sonkodi B. has also proposed the molecular basis of the sex difference in the epidemiology of DED, suggesting the role of nerve growth factor (NGF)-tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA) axis signaling [25].…”