Treatment Outcome of Tubercular Uveitis in a High TB and HIV Setting: A Prospective Cohort Study

PURPOSE: To determine the time to resolution of inflammation in tubercular uveitis (TBU) cases on standard anti-tubercular treatment. Sub-analysis of time to resolution according to HIV status was also performed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective cohort study of presumed idiopathic uveitis cases >18 years underwent the tuberculin skin test, QuantiFERON-TB Gold test, and ocular tuberculosis (TB) polymerase chain reaction test. Adult TBU cases were treated with standard anti-tubercular therapy (and corticosteroids) for 9 months. Cases were followed-up for resolution of inflammation at 1.5, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 months post-diagnosis. Outcome measure was resolution of inflammation on ≤10 mg oral prednisone per day. RESULTS: Seventy-nine presumed idiopathic uveitis cases were enrolled in the study, 49 (62%) were diagnosed with TBU. The mean (SD) age of TBU cases at diagnosis was 41.8 (13.4) years. Using a multilevel mixed effects model, resolution was achieved at 6 months in the TBU cases (OR = 1.21; 95% CI, 1.03–1.41; P = 0.017). Using generalized estimating equations, resolution was also achieved at 6 months in the TBU cases (OR = 1.21; 95% CI, 1.05–1.39; P = 0.008). The HIV-positive cases (OR = 1.62; 95% CI, 1.13–2.31; P = 0.008) and the HIV-negative cases (OR = 1.25; 95% CI, 1.06–1.48; P = 0.009) achieved resolution at 9 months. CONCLUSION: Resolution of inflammation in TBU cases on anti-tubercular treatment with corticosteroids was achieved at 6 months and maintained throughout the study. Our study suggests a minimum of 6 months treatment is required for significant resolution. Resolution of inflammation in HIV-positive and HIV-negative TBU cases needs to be further explored.