Serum immunoglobulin levels, complement components 3 and 4, HLA-B27 allele and spondyloarthropathy in patients with non-infectious anterior uveites.

OBJECTIVE

To identify the relationship between serum immunoglobulin levels, complement components 3 and 4, the presence of the HLA-B27 allele and diagnosis of spondyloarthropathies in patients with non-infectious anterior uveitis.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The participants were 197 patients with a non-infectious anterior uveitis. The concentrations of serum immunoglobulins, C3 and C4 proteins of the complement were determined by turbidimetry. The personal history of suspected immunodeficiency, ophthalmological complications, arthralgia, family history of spondyloarthropathies and the presence of the HLA-B27 allele were collected.

RESULTS

A family history of spondyloarthropathy, axial arthralgias, and ophthalmological complications were more frequent in HLA-B27 positive patients (P=.0005, P≤.0001, P≤.0001 respectively) and in patients with spondyloarthropathy diagnoses (P≤.0001, P≤.0001, P≤.0001 respectively). A personal history of recurrent sepsis, and gastrointestinal abnormalities was associated with the presence of the HLA-B27 allele (P≤.0001, P=.0240 respectively) and with the diagnosis of spondyloarthropathy (P=.0492, P=.0017 respectively). IgG decrease was observed (χ2=18.5, OR=5.03, 95% CI=2.32-10.89, P=.0001) and M (OR=7.13, 95% CI=1.40-36.4; P=.0128) in patients positive for the HLA-B27 allele and in patients with a diagnosis of SpA (P=.0364 and P=.0028 respectively). The decrease of C3 proteins (OR=4.82; CI 95%=1.35-17.11; P=.0328) and C4 (OR=9.09; CI 95%=2.13-38.88; P=.0074) were associated with a spondyloarthropathies diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with non-infectious anterior uveitis, positive for the HLA-B27 allele and diagnosed with spondyloarthropathies have alterations in serum immunoglobulin levels and complement components 3 and 4, which could contribute to the perpetuation and worse clinical course of this disease.