Bowel inflammation in anterior uveitis and spondyloarthropathy.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the possible involvement of the bowel in the spectrum of anterior uveitis (AU).

METHODS

Ileocolonoscopy and histology studies were performed on 27 patients with AU.

RESULTS

Patients with AU had a higher incidence of chronic intestinal inflammation (CII) than controls. CII was present in AU regardless of HLA-B27 status, sacroiliitis or NSAID intake, and was more prevalent in uveitis with high recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Bowl inflammation ia a component of the spectrum of AU. This finding supports a HIL-B27 independent common pathogenic link between AU and spondyloarthropathy.