Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Ocul Immunol Inflamm 2022 May 19:1-2. Epub 2022 May 19.

Department of Ophthalmology, St. Franziskus Hospital, Muenster, Germany.

Objective: Several case reports have been published on the effect of janus kinase inhibitors (JAK-I) on juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis (JIAU). Both tofacitinib and baricitinib have been described as therapeutically effective in JIAU.

Methods: We here present a case of a 24-years-old female with refractory course of JIAU receiving upadacitinib therapy. Read More

J Clin Med 2022 Apr 28;11(9). Epub 2022 Apr 28.

Division of Clinical Immunology, Department of Clinical, Anestesiologic and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.

Background: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a rheumatic condition of childhood that is frequently associated with anterior chronic uveitis. Evidence suggests that uveitis may persist up to adulthood in some cases, possibly causing severe visual impairment.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study on a series of patients aged 16 years or older with JIA-related active uveitis who were referred to the Uveitis Service of Sapienza University of Rome from 1990 to 2019 to evaluate the characteristics of ocular disease in patients with JIA-associated uveitis (JIA-U) who still exhibit uveitis in adulthood. Read More

Am J Ophthalmol 2022 May 2. Epub 2022 May 2.

Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Purpose: To examine the clinical course and outcome in children with idiopathic chronic anterior uveitis (iCAU) and compare the results with age-matched children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis (JIA-U).

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Methods: Data regarding ocular complications, visual acuity, and systemic treatment were retrospectively collected for two patient groups that were matched regarding age and year of uveitis diagnosis. Read More

Front Pediatr 2022 12;10:851453. Epub 2022 Apr 12.

Rheumatology Unit, Meyer Children's University Hospital, Florence, Italy.

Background: Our study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Tocilizumab and Abatacept for treating Childhood Chronic non-infectious Uveitis (CCU), resistant to anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) treatment.

Methods: This is a monocentric retrospective charts review study (January 2010-April 2021) recruiting CCU, refractory to anti-TNF. To be included, children should have active uveitis at the time of Tocilizumab (8 mg/kg, every 4 weeks) or Abatacept (10 mg/kg, every 4 weeks). Read More

J Ophthalmic Inflamm Infect 2022 Apr 27;12(1):15. Epub 2022 Apr 27.

Department of Rheumatology, Vikram Hospital, Bangalore, India.

Background/purpose: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common rheumatic disease in the pediatric population and anterior uveitis is its commonest extra-articular manifestation. Typically the uveitis presents as chronic anterior uveitis and there is limited literature of the posterior segment manifestations of the disease. Similar to other vaccines, anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination that began as an urgent measure to control the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has not been without adverse events. Read More

Front Med (Lausanne) 2022 7;9:878797. Epub 2022 Apr 7.

Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.

Objective: Aim of this paper is to present the design, construction, and modalities of dissemination of the AutoInflammatory Disease Alliance (AIDA) International Registry for patients with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) and adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD), which are the pediatric and adult forms of the same autoinflammatory disorder.

Methods: This Registry is a clinical, physician-driven, population- and electronic-based instrument implemented for the retrospective and prospective collection of real-world data. The collection of data is based on the Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) tool and is intended to obtain evidence drawn from routine patients' management. Read More

An Pediatr (Engl Ed) 2022 Apr 19. Epub 2022 Apr 19.

Unidad de Reumatología pediátrica, Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain; Departamento de Salud Pública y Materno-Infantil, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain.

Objectives: (1) To describe the prevalence of IgA deficiency (IgAD), uveitis, coeliac disease (CD) and thyroid disorders in a multicentric cohort of patients diagnosed with JIA and, (2) to evaluate whether patients with JIA and IgAD present other autoimmune diseases more frequently than patients with normal serum levels of IgA.

Methods: Retrospective chart review of a cohort of patients diagnosed with JIA followed at the paediatric rheumatology units of two hospitals in Madrid, Spain.

Results: A total of 193 patients were included. Read More

BMC Ophthalmol 2022 Apr 18;22(1):174. Epub 2022 Apr 18.

Tianjin Key Laboratory of Retinal Functions and Diseases, Tianjin Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Disease, Eye Institute and School of Optometry, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China.

Background: To analyse demographic, clinical features, treatment and therapeutic outcomes of pediatric uveitis and scleritis patients.

Subjects: The clinical records of pediatric uveitis and scleritis cases between January 2012 and December 2020 at a tertiary uveitis service center in Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital (TMUEH) were reviewed.

Results: In total, 209 patients (337 eyes) were included, 49. Read More

J Rheumatol 2022 Apr 15. Epub 2022 Apr 15.

K. Mireskandari, FRCOphth, PhD, John and Melinda Thompson Chair in Vision Research, Professor and Staff Ophthalmologist, Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. KM is on the advisory boards for Santen Canada Inc. and Novartis; and received research support from Bayer. Address correspondence to Dr. K. Mireskandari, Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada. Email:

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a systemic inflammatory disease that includes uveitis as one of its extraarticular associations. Studies involving predominantly adult patients report a significant association between the incidence of uveitis and psoriasis, the risk of which is greatest in patients with severe PsA.. Read More

Mil Med 2022 Apr 12. Epub 2022 Apr 12.

Department of Internal Medicine, Bégin Military Teaching Hospital, Saint-Mandé 94160, France.

Introduction: Assessment of the medical fitness to serve in the armed forces has two objectives: to prevent the military operations from being jeopardized by a medical issue, and to protect soldiers from the sequelae of diseases that could become complicated in the operational field, especially in overseas operations where soldiers are exposed to a remote setting and a long evacuation time. Little is known about fitness decisions for soldiers with systemic or autoimmune diseases. Therefore, we conducted a single-center retrospective study of internal medicine fitness decisions. Read More

Autoimmun Rev 2022 Jun 6;21(6):103086. Epub 2022 Apr 6.

Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.

Background: Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) detected in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) sera are considered to be a biomarker for JIA-related uveitis. There is an unclear consensus on the screening dilutions of ANA as detected by the HEp-2 indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) that should be used when predicting the risk of uveitis in JIA. The primary aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to summarize the evidence regarding ANA prevalence and performance in JIA and JIA-associated uveitis. Read More

Mol Biol Rep 2022 Apr 1. Epub 2022 Apr 1.

Department of Ophthalmology and Ophtha-Lab, St. Franziskus-Hospital, Hohenzollernring 74, 48145, Münster, Germany.

Purpose: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis (JIAU) may run a chronic and treatment-resistant course, and occasionally, alterations of the iris vasculature may be observed clinically.

Methods: Iris tissue (IT), aqueous humor (AH) and serum samples from patients with clinically inactive JIAU (n = 30), acute anterior uveitis (AAU; n = 18), and primary open angle glaucoma (POAG; n = 20) were obtained during trabeculectomy or cataract surgery. Samples were analyzed by RNA-Seq, qRT-PCR, LC-IMS, Western-Blot, and LEGENDplex™ analysis. Read More

Klin Monbl Augenheilkd 2022 May 23;239(5):676-685. Epub 2022 Mar 23.

Department für Augenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Tübingen, Deutschland.

Objectives: Case report based presentation of the current German interdisciplinary guideline on the diagnosis and management of juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated (JIA) uveitis.

Material And Methods: Guideline of the German Society of Ophthalmology, the Society of Paediatric and Adolescent Rheumatology, the German Society of Rheumatology, the Professional Association of German Ophthalmologists, with the participation of patient representatives. Recent primary publications were critically graduated for evidence and recommendations; the methodology included consensus building through Delphi rounds and external peer review. Read More

Front Pediatr 2022 4;10:802977. Epub 2022 Mar 4.

Service d'Ophtalmologie, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.

Purpose: Pediatric uveitis is the leading cause of acquired child blindness, due to unremitting inflammation and long-term steroid exposition. Biotherapies with anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (anti-TNFα) are effective in controlling inflammation for severe pediatric uveitis in recent studies. Major concern of anti-TNFα prescription is the balance between the severity of the disease and side effects of the drug. Read More

Case Rep Neurol Med 2022 7;2022:3784938. Epub 2022 Mar 7.

Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.

Background: Tumor necrosis factor antagonists (anti-TNF-) are an established therapeutic option for several autoimmune and inflammatory bowel diseases. Despite their clinical effectiveness, neurological adverse events have been reported, and literature data suggest a potential role of anti-TNF- in the induction of demyelination. . Read More

RMD Open 2022 03;8(1)

Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Riabilitazione, Oftalmologia, Genetica e Scienze Materno-Infantili, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy.

Objective: To investigate the frequency in which the physician provides a global assessment of disease activity (PhGA) >0 and an active joint count (AJC)=0 in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and search for determinants of divergence between the two measures.

Methods: Data were extracted from a multinational cross-sectional dataset of 9966 patients who had JIA by International League of Associations for Rheumatology criteria, were recruited between 2011 and 2016, and had both PhGA and AJC recorded by the caring paediatric rheumatologist at the study visit. Determinants of discordance between PhGA>0 and AJC=0 were searched for by multivariable logistic regression and dominance analyses. Read More

Arthritis Rheumatol 2022 04 1;74(4):553-569. Epub 2022 Mar 1.

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Objective: To provide updated guidelines for pharmacologic management of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), focusing on treatment of oligoarthritis, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthritis, and systemic JIA with and without macrophage activation syndrome. Recommendations regarding tapering and discontinuing treatment in inactive systemic JIA are also provided.

Methods: We developed clinically relevant Patient/Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcomes questions. Read More

Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) 2022 04 1;74(4):505-520. Epub 2022 Mar 1.

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Objective: To provide recommendations for the management of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) with a focus on nonpharmacologic therapies, medication monitoring, immunizations, and imaging, irrespective of JIA phenotype.

Methods: We developed clinically relevant Patient/Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcomes questions. After conducting a systematic literature review, the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach was used to rate the quality of evidence (high, moderate, low, or very low). Read More

Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) 2022 04 1;74(4):521-537. Epub 2022 Mar 1.

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Objective: To provide updated guidelines for pharmacologic management of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), focusing on treatment of oligoarthritis, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthritis, and systemic JIA with and without macrophage activation syndrome. Recommendations regarding tapering and discontinuing treatment in inactive systemic JIA are also provided.

Methods: We developed clinically relevant Patient/Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcomes questions. Read More

Arthritis Rheumatol 2022 04 1;74(4):570-585. Epub 2022 Mar 1.

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Objective: To provide recommendations for the management of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) with a focus on nonpharmacologic therapies, medication monitoring, immunizations, and imaging, irrespective of JIA phenotype.

Methods: We developed clinically relevant Patient/Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcomes questions. After conducting a systematic literature review, the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach was used to rate the quality of evidence (high, moderate, low, or very low). Read More

Am J Ophthalmol 2022 Jun 13;238:173-180. Epub 2022 Feb 13.

From the Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Sorbonne Universités, AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France; Centre National de Références Maladies Autoimmunes et Systémiques Rares, Centre National de Références Maladies Autoinflammatoires Rares et Amylose Inflammatoire; INSERM, UMR S 959, Immunology-Immunopathology-Immunotherapy (I3), Paris, France. Electronic address:

Purpose: To compare the relapse rate of sight-threatening noninfectious uveitis (NIU) in patients treated with infliximab (IFX) or adalimumab (ADA).

Design: Observational retrospective multicenter study.

Methods: A total of 330 patients (median age, 36 years; interquartile range, 27-54), 45. Read More

Ocul Immunol Inflamm 2021 28;29(7-8):1616-1620. Epub 2020 May 28.

UCLA Stein Eye Institute and David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, CA.

Purpose: Biomarkers for juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis (JIA-U) are needed. We aimed to measure inflammatory biomarkers in tears as a non-invasive method to identify biomarkers of uveitis activity.

Methods: Tears were collected from children with JIA-U (n=20) and pediatric controls (n=20) using Schirmer strips. Read More

Rheumatology (Oxford) 2022 Jan 25. Epub 2022 Jan 25.

Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.

Objective: To compare clinical features and treatments of patients with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sIJA) and adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD).

Methods: The clinical charts of consecutive patients with sJIA by International League of Association of Rheumatology criteria or AOSD by Yamaguchi criteria were reviewed. Patients were seen at a large paediatric rheumatology referral centre or at 10 adult rheumatology academic centres. Read More

Acta Ophthalmol 2022 Jan 25. Epub 2022 Jan 25.

Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to analyse the development of ocular complications and visual prognosis in juvenile idiopathic arthritis associated uveitis (JIA-uveitis) compared to the previous decade in the light of new treatment guidelines.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort, 143 patients with JIA-uveitis were stratified into two cohorts based on the year of diagnosis of uveitis, <2010 (n = 61) and ≥2010 (n = 82). Development of ocular complications and visual outcomes were analysed by univariate and multivariate methods. Read More

Am J Clin Dermatol 2022 Jan 21;23(Suppl 1):21-29. Epub 2022 Jan 21.

Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) is a rare, potentially life-threatening disease characterized by episodes of widespread sterile macroscopic pustules, with or without systemic inflammation and/or plaque psoriasis. Multiple GPP subtypes have been described, from acute GPP of von Zumbusch to milder, annular pustular psoriasis. Generalized pustular psoriasis mainly affects adults, with a female preponderance, but juvenile GPP also occurs. Read More

J Rheumatol 2022 Jan 15. Epub 2022 Jan 15.

The German National Pediatric Rheumatologic Database was funded by the Federal Ministry for Research and Education (1999-2007), Deutsche Kinderrheuma-Stiftung, and pharmaceutical companies, namely AbbVie, Chugai, Novartis, Pfizer, and GSK. K. Baquet-Walscheid, MD, A. Heiligenhaus, MD, Department of Ophthalmology at St. Franziskus Hospital, Muenster, and University of Duisburg-Essen, Faculty of Medicine, Essen; K. Rothaus, MSc, Department of Ophthalmology at St. Franziskus Hospital, Muenster; M. Niewerth, MSc, German Rheumatism Research Center, a Leibniz Institute, Berlin; J. Klotsche, PhD, German Rheumatism Research Center, a Leibniz Institute, and Charité - University Medicine Berlin, Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Berlin; K. Minden, MD, German Rheumatism Research Center, a Leibniz Institute, and Charité - University Medicine Berlin, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Berlin, Germany. KBW has received honoraria from Novartis; KM has received honoraria from AbbVie, Medac, Pfizer, and Novartis. AH has received research grants from BMBF (FKZ, 01ER1504C), DFG (He 1877/19-1), Pfizer, and Novartis, and honoraria from AbbVie, Biermann, Allergan, Pfizer, Santen, and UCB. KR, MN, and JK declare no conflicts of interest relevant to this article. Address correspondence to Dr. K. Baquet-Walscheid, MD, FEBO, Department of Ophthalmology at St. Franziskus Hospital, Hohenzollernring 74, 48145 Muenster, Germany. Email: Accepted for publication December 14, 2021.

Objective: Data on uveitis in juvenile psoriatic arthritis ( JPsA), a category of juvenile idiopathic arthritis ( JIA), are scarce. We describe prevalence and risk factors for JPsA-associated uveitis ( JPsA-U).

Methods: Cross-sectional data from the German National Pediatric Rheumatological Database (2002-2014) were used to characterize JPsA-U and assess risk factors for the development of uveitis. Read More

J Immunol Res 2021 20;2021:2324400. Epub 2021 Dec 20.

Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors for the treatment of patients with autoimmune disease and associated inflammatory ocular diseases.

Methods: We identified relevant literature by screening the MEDLINE, PubMed, and Cochrane databases for randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, case controls, and case reports.

Results: Seven studies, including 11 patients, were included in the final systematic analysis. Read More

Int Ophthalmol Clin 2022 01;62(1):143-154

Turk J Ophthalmol 2021 Dec;51(6):351-357

Pamukkale University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Rheumatology, Denizli, Turkey.

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to describe the demographic and clinical findings of children with uveitis at a tertiary pediatric rheumatology and ophthalmology center.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted with 46 patients who were diagnosed with uveitis before the age of 16 years and were followed regularly for at least 6 months between January 2013 and June 2019. Demographic data, uveitis characteristics, underlying diseases, systemic treatment modalities, drug side effects, complications, and surgical intervention were evaluated. Read More

Ther Adv Ophthalmol 2021 Jan-Dec;13:25158414211059244. Epub 2021 Dec 6.

UCLA Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 200 Stein Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095-7003, USA.

Pediatric uveitis accounts for up to 10% of all uveitis cases, so special attention must be paid to ensure early diagnosis as well as treatment and follow-up of these young patients in order to decrease the risk of possible ocular complications and consequently vision loss. Multimodal imaging has been an effective and important adjunct in the diagnoses and management of uveitis, especially in children. Reviewed here are the currently utilized modalities, advances, as well as their applications in juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis, pars planitis, retinal vasculitis, tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome, Behçet disease, Blau syndrome, and Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome. Read More