AUTHOR=Joltikov Katherine A. , Lobo-Chan Ann-Marie 

TITLE=Epidemiology and Risk Factors in Non-infectious Uveitis: A Systematic Review

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Medicine

VOLUME=8

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2021.695904

DOI=10.3389/fmed.2021.695904

ISSN=2296-858X

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Purpose:</bold> Non-infectious uveitis is a leading cause of vision loss in the developed world. The purpose of this systematic review is to investigate the epidemiology and risk factors of non-infectious uveitis over the last 50 years.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> A systematic literature search of Pubmed/MEDLINE database was performed in the 50-year period from January 1971 to January 2021, according to the PRISMA guidelines. Studies that assessed the epidemiology and risk factors for non-infectious uveitis were included.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> Few epidemiologic studies focus specifically on non-infectious uveitis. In the Unites States, the estimated prevalence of non-infectious uveitis is 121/100,000. The incidence and prevalence varies considerably worldwide. Females and the working age group (20–50 years) appear to be the most affected. Smoking and vitamin D deficiency are the biggest risk factors for non-infectious uveitis, while pregnancy appears to be protective. Additional risk factors include presence of other autoimmune diseases (thyroid disease, diabetes, celiac), pre-eclampsia/eclampsia, psychological stress, and certain medications (bisphosphonates, immune checkpoint inhibitors, female hormone therapy, and etanercept).</p><p><bold>Discussion:</bold> Our systematic review summarizes the incidence and prevalence of non-infectious uveitis and associated modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors.</p>