Clinical Relevance of Autoantibodies and Inflammatory Parameters in Non-infectious Scleritis

• Published in: Ocular immunology and inflammation 2022-11, Vol.30 (7-8), p.1859-1865
• Main Authors: Vergouwen, D.P.C., Ten Berge, J.C., Boukhrissi, S., Rothova, A., Schreurs, M.W.J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies; anti-cytoplasmic neutrophil antibodies; anti-nuclear antibodies; inflammatory parameters; prognostic value; Scleritis; serum autoantibodies
• ISSN: 0927-3948; 1744-5078
• DOI: 10.1080/09273948.2021.1966050

Scleritis is a potentially blinding disorder, with highly unpredictable course and outcome. We analyzed the prevalence and clinical relevance of autoantibodies and inflammatory parameters in non-infectious scleritis. Retrospective analysis of laboratory findings in all consecutive patients at the department of Ophthalmology of the Erasmus MC with non-infectious scleritis. We included 81 patients with non-infectious scleritis. A systemic autoimmune disease was present in 46%. Positive anti-nuclear antibodies were found in 30%, anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies were positive in 19%, and the presence of rheumatoid factor was shown in 17%. The aforementioned autoantibodies, as well as inflammatory parameters, failed to show prognostic clinical value. In contrast, anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies (ACPA), found in 9% of scleritis patients, were significantly associated with the development of scleral necrosis (P = .01). The presence of ACPA in patients with non-infectious scleritis was associated with the development of scleral necrosis.