[Diagnosis and treatment of HLA-B27-associated uveitis].

The purpose of the present investigation was to diagnose and to treat HLA-B27 antigen-associated uveitis in 102 patients (118 eyes) with anterior and posterior uveitis. HLA antigens were typed to specify the etiopathogenesis of uveitis. Along with this, the patients were examined by a rheumatologist, a rontgenologist, an immunologist, an urologist, a dermatovenereologist, a dentist, and an otorhinolaryngologist. The conventional ophthalmological study and eye B-scanning were also performed. After complex therapy, there were improvements in the ocular state and overall somatic condition, as confirmed by the results of clinical studies. In 81 patients, the time of relapses reduced and the duration of remissions increased; persistent remission occurred in 15 patients. The course of the disease was unchanged in 7 cases. The pathogenetic role of B-27 antigen in the development of uveitis, as well as ankylosing spondylarthritis, seronegative spondylarthropathy, and other types of spondyloarthritis has not been explained so far. Notwithstanding this, the joint efforts of an oculist, a rheumatologist, and, not rarely, other specialists and the specific features of a clinical approach could provide a pronounced positive effect in treating the patients with HLA-27-associated uveitis.