Extraocular manifestations of birdshot chorioretinopathy in 118 French patients.

BACKGROUND

Published studies on birdshot chorioretinopathy (BCR) did not provide definitive information on possibly associated extraocular manifestations.

METHODS

Single-center cross-sectional analysis of extraocular manifestations in a cohort of patients with BCR.

RESULTS

Since 2002, 118 patients (45 men, 73 women) were enrolled. Their mean age was 51.5 years at diagnosis. The most common features of their medical histories were: hypertension (32 patients), drug allergy (19), sinusitis (17), thyroid disease (12), otitis media (11), asthma (11); diabetes (10); cancer (8); psoriasis (5); monoclonal gammopathies (3). At the time of disease onset, arthralgias were noted in 23, ENT manifestations in 26, Raynaud's phenomenon in 6, headaches in 10, psoriasis in 3 others. Between diagnosis and cross-sectional evaluation visits, only the frequency of hypertension has increased significantly (11 additional patients).

CONCLUSIONS

No predominant extraocular manifestation of BCR was identified in our patients. Their ongoing follow-up may yet discern whether BCR is definitively eye-restricted.