Risk factors for the development of ocular tuberculosis in patients with disseminated tuberculosis.

AIM: To identify risk factors for the development of ocular tuberculosis in patients with disseminated tuberculosis.

METHODS

A retrospective case-control study. The authors studied all admitted patients with disseminated tuberculosis in two subgroups: patients who developed ocular tuberculosis and those who did not. The potential risk factors analyzed included age, sex, presence of diabetes mellitus, and preexisting immunosuppression.

RESULTS

Of 47 patients, 26 patients (55.3%) developed ocular tuberculosis. Ocular tuberculosis was significantly associated with the presence of preexisting immunosuppression (p = .005) using a logistic regression model. Diabetes mellitus, age, and sex were not risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Preexisting immunosuppression is a risk factor.