Diagnostic Markers in Ocular Sarcoidosis in A High TB Endemic Population – A Multicentre Study

ABSTRACT

Aim

To look at markers to differentiate ocular sarcoidosis from ocular tuberculosis in a high TB endemic population.

Materials & Methods

Retrospective multicenter study involving seven tertiary eyecare centers in India between July 2016 to December 2016. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were retrieved from respective hospital databases. Group A included biopsy-proven ocular sarcoidosis while group B included ocular tuberculosis.

Results

Data from 2726 consecutive patients with uveitis were retrieved from the databases. Group A had 61 cases while group B included 307 cases. The mean age in group A was 43 ± 16.55 years while in group B was 38 ± 13.13 years. Females were more common in group A. Uveitis with low Schirmer test (OR-30, CI-95%), candlewax retinal vasculitis (OR-8.69, CI-95%), hilar lymphadenopathy (OR-15.23, CI-95%), fissural nodules (OR-39.11, CI-95%) had higher odds of having ocular sarcoidosis.

Conclusion

Presence of dry eye, candlewax retinal vasculitis, hilar lymphadenopathy, and fissural nodules if present in a patient with uveitis, could help differentiate ocular sarcoidosis from ocular tuberculosis in a high TB endemic population.

KEYWORDS:

• Ocular Sarcoidosis
• ocular tuberculosis
• uveitis
• biopsy
• TB endemic population

Disclosure statement

The authors have no financial interest in the study.