Frequency of uveitis and its associations with HLA B27 in ankylosing spondylitis patients

Aim: To investigate the prevalence of uveitis in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients and its relationship with HLA B27. Methods: The data of 95 patients with AS who admitted to Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University Internal Medicine and Rehabilitation Outpatient Clinics between 2010 and 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. Demographic characteristics, HLA B27 positivity and detailed eye consultation notes of the patients were recorded. Results: Of the 95 patients, 65 (68%) were male and 30 (32%) were female. The mean age of the patients was 38.3 ± 11.6 years. The HLA B27 results of 10 patients could not be reached. 22% of the patients had at least one episode of uveitis attack. While 82% (70/85) of patients had HLA B27 positivity, this rate was 86% in (18/21) patients with uveitis. Conclusion: Uveitis is a disease that can cause permanent loss of vision. In our study, no significant difference was found between the presence of uveitis and the presence of HLA B27 in patients with AS and this finding needs to be supported by randomized studies.