Combined Ophthalmology and Rheumatology Evaluation in Systemic Autoimmune Diseases with Ocular Involvement: A Third Level Reference Center in Mexico

Aim A cross-sectional descriptive study to determine the frequency of ocular manifestations associated with systemic autoimmune diseases in a third-level hospital in Mexico. Methods Records from 2014 to 2017 at the Inflammatory Eye Disease Clinic of the Asociacion Para Evitar la Cegueraen Mexico were examined by both an ophthalmologist and a rheumatologist on the same day. Diagnosis was achieved from initial ocular manifestations with later systemic assessment. Results Out of 311 medical records, 276 were included, 75% of the patients were female. Keratoconjunctivitis sicca was the most frequent ocular manifestation (33.3%), followed by anterior uveitis (29.5%), scleritis (23.2%), and peripheral ulcerative keratitis (7.2%). The leading autoimmune diseases were spondyloarthritis (29%), rheumatoid arthritis (28.6%), primary Sjogren's syndrome (10.5%) and granulomatosis with polyangiitis (9.1%). 41.3% of systemic disease diagnoses were made after an initial ocular manifestation. Conclusions Inflammatory eye manifestations can imply systemic autoimmune diseases. It is crucial to suspect and confirm this association and provide timely interdisciplinary management.