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de Figueiredo LQ, de Andrade Lopes FO, Franco AS, Giardini HAM, Guedes LKN, Bonfiglioli KR, Shimabuco AY, de Medeiros Ribeiro AC, Domiciano DS. Scleromalacia perforans as an early manifestation of late-onset rheumatoid arthritis: a case-based review. Rheumatol Int 2024; 44:1165-1173. [PMID: 37925382 DOI: 10.1007/s00296-023-05494-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect different organs beyond the joints. Ocular involvement includes keratoconjunctivitis sicca, peripheral ulcerative keratitis (PUK), episcleritis, scleritis, anterior uveitis, and corneal impairment. The most severe form of scleritis, scleromalacia perforans, is an aggressive ophthalmic manifestation that can potentially lead to blindness, usually occurring in late stages of disease. We report a case of an elderly woman in which this severe ocular manifestation occurred early on disease onset, differing from most of the previously reported cases of scleromalacia perforans. Ocular symptoms started concomitantly with the polyarthritis and other extra-articular manifestations, including rheumatoid nodules and vasculitic skin lesions. Ocular disease progressed due to patient's loss to follow-up, requiring pulse therapy with methylprednisolone. However, despite treatment, right eye enucleation was required due to melting of the corneal patch with uveal exposition. The patient was then treated with rituximab with improvement of systemic disease. The present case reinforces that, although rare, this complication is severe and must be promptly diagnosed and aggressively treated to improve prognosis of ocular and systemic RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letícia Queiroga de Figueiredo
- Division of Rheumatology, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo 455, 3º. andar, sala 3105, São Paulo, SP, 01246-903, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Oliveira de Andrade Lopes
- Division of Rheumatology, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo 455, 3º. andar, sala 3105, São Paulo, SP, 01246-903, Brazil
| | - André Silva Franco
- Division of Rheumatology, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo 455, 3º. andar, sala 3105, São Paulo, SP, 01246-903, Brazil
| | - Henrique Ayres Mayrink Giardini
- Division of Rheumatology, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo 455, 3º. andar, sala 3105, São Paulo, SP, 01246-903, Brazil
| | - Lissiane Karine Noronha Guedes
- Division of Rheumatology, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo 455, 3º. andar, sala 3105, São Paulo, SP, 01246-903, Brazil
| | - Karina Rossi Bonfiglioli
- Division of Rheumatology, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo 455, 3º. andar, sala 3105, São Paulo, SP, 01246-903, Brazil
| | - Andrea Yukie Shimabuco
- Division of Rheumatology, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo 455, 3º. andar, sala 3105, São Paulo, SP, 01246-903, Brazil
| | - Ana Cristina de Medeiros Ribeiro
- Division of Rheumatology, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo 455, 3º. andar, sala 3105, São Paulo, SP, 01246-903, Brazil
| | - Diogo Souza Domiciano
- Division of Rheumatology, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo 455, 3º. andar, sala 3105, São Paulo, SP, 01246-903, Brazil.
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Dutta Majumder P, Agarwal S, Shah M, Srinivasan B, K P, Iyer G, Sharma N, Biswas J, McCluskey P. Necrotizing Scleritis: A Review. Ocul Immunol Inflamm 2023:1-15. [PMID: 37279404 DOI: 10.1080/09273948.2023.2206898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Necrotizing scleritis is the most destructive and vision-threatening form of scleritis. Necrotizing scleritis can occur in systemic autoimmune disorders and systemic vasculitis, as well as following microbial infection. Rheumatoid arthritis and granulomatosis with polyangiitis remain the commonest identifiable systemic diseases associated with necrotising scleritis. Pseudomonas species is the most common organism causing infectious necrotizing scleritis, with surgery the most common risk factor. Necrotizing scleritis has the highest rates of complications and is more prone to secondary glaucoma and cataract than other phenotypes of scleritis. The differentiation between non-infectious and infectious necrotizing scleritis is not always easy but is critical in the management of necrotizing scleritis. Non-infectious necrotizing scleritis requires aggressive treatment with combination immunosuppressive therapy. Infectious scleritis is often recalcitrant and difficult to control, requiring long-term antimicrobial therapy and surgical debridement with drainage and patch grafting due to deep-seated infection and the avascularity of the sclera.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shweta Agarwal
- CJ Shah Cornea Services, Medical Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, India
| | - Mauli Shah
- Department of Uvea Services, Medical Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, India
| | - Bhaskar Srinivasan
- CJ Shah Cornea Services, Medical Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, India
| | - Priyadarshini K
- Dr. R.P. Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Geetha Iyer
- CJ Shah Cornea Services, Medical Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, India
| | - Namrata Sharma
- Dr. R.P. Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Jyotirmay Biswas
- Department of Uvea Services, Medical Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, India
| | - Peter McCluskey
- Save Sight Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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Chen B, Yang S, Zhu L, Peng X, He D, Tao T, Su W. Adalimumab plus Conventional Therapy versus Conventional Therapy in Refractory Non-Infectious Scleritis. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11226686. [PMID: 36431163 PMCID: PMC9697705 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11226686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Long-term systemic glucocorticoids and non-specific immunosuppressants remain the mainstay of treatment for refractory scleritis, and result in serious side-effects and repeated inflammation flares. To assess the efficacy and safety of additional adalimumab, patients diagnosed with refractory non-infectious scleritis were enrolled. They were assigned to the conventional-therapy (CT, using systemic glucocorticoids and other immunosuppressants) group or the adalimumab-plus-conventional-therapy (ACT) group according to the treatments they received. The primary outcome was time to achieve sustained remission, assessed by a reduction in modified McCluskey's scleritis scores. Other outcomes included changes in McCluskey's scores, scleritis flares, best-corrected visual acuity, and spared glucocorticoid dosage. Patients in the ACT group achieved faster remission than those in the CT group, as the median periods before remission were 4 months vs. 2.5 months (p = 0.016). Scleritis flares occurred in 11/11 eyes in the CT group and 5/12 eyes in the ACT group (p = 0.005). Successful glucocorticoid sparing was realized in both groups, but the ACT group made it faster. No severe adverse events were observed. Data suggest that adalimumab plus conventional therapy could shorten the time to remission, reduce disease flares, and accelerate glucocorticoid withdrawal compared with conventional therapy alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binyao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Shizhao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Lei Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Xuening Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Daquan He
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Tianyu Tao
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
- Correspondence: (T.T.); (W.S.)
| | - Wenru Su
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
- Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Guangzhou 510060, China
- Correspondence: (T.T.); (W.S.)
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Abdel-Aty A, Gupta A, Del Priore L, Kombo N. Management of noninfectious scleritis. Ther Adv Ophthalmol 2022; 14:25158414211070879. [PMID: 35083421 PMCID: PMC8785299 DOI: 10.1177/25158414211070879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Scleritis is a manifestation of inflammatory eye disease that involves the sclera. It can be divided into multiple subtypes, including diffuse anterior, nodular anterior, necrotizing, and posterior scleritis. In many cases, scleritis is restricted to the eye; however, it can occur in the context of systemic illness, particularly autoimmune and infectious conditions. Patients with autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, and polyangiitis with granulomatosis, may develop scleritis flares that may require topical and systemic therapy. Initial therapy typically involves oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); however, it is important to address the underlying condition, particularly if systemic. Other treatment regimens typically involve either local or systemic steroids or the use of immunomodulatory agents, which have a wide range of efficacy and documented use in the literature. There is a myriad of immunomodulatory agents used in the treatment of scleritis including antimetabolites, calcineurin inhibitors, biologics, and alkylating agents. In this review, we highlight the various subtypes of noninfectious scleritis and explore each of the mainstay agents used in the management of this entity. We explore the use of steroids and NSAIDs in detail and discuss evidence for various immunomodulatory agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Abdel-Aty
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Akash Gupta
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Yale University, 20 York Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Lucian Del Priore
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ninani Kombo
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
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Kabaalioğlu Güner M, Mehra A, Smith WM. Novel strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of scleritis. EXPERT REVIEW OF OPHTHALMOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/17469899.2021.1984881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ankur Mehra
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Wendy M. Smith
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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Sota J, Girolamo MM, Frediani B, Tosi GM, Cantarini L, Fabiani C. Biologic Therapies and Small Molecules for the Management of Non-Infectious Scleritis: A Narrative Review. Ophthalmol Ther 2021; 10:777-813. [PMID: 34476773 PMCID: PMC8589879 DOI: 10.1007/s40123-021-00393-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Scleritis refers to a wide spectrum of ocular conditions ranging from mild to sight-threatening scleral inflammation that may compromise visual function and threaten the anatomical integrity of the ocular globe. Most aggressive forms like necrotizing or posterior scleritis are often difficult-to-treat cases, refractory to conventional treatment. The association with systemic diseases, namely rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren syndrome, granulomatosis with polyangiitis, and relapsing polychondritis, may have prognostic implications as well. A better understanding of the pathogenesis of ocular inflammatory diseases have paved the way to more effective and targeted treatment approaches. In this regard, a growing body of evidence supports the potential role of biologic agents in the management of non-infectious scleral inflammation, either idiopathic or in a background of immune-mediated systemic disorders. Biologic agents such as anti-tumor necrosis factor agents, interleukin-1 and interleukin-6 inhibitors as well as CD20 blockade have displayed promising results. More specifically, several studies have reported their ability to control scleral inflammation, reduce the overall scleritis relapses, and allow a glucocorticoid-sparing effect while being generally well tolerated. Anecdotal reports have also been described with other biologic agents including abatacept, ustekinumab, daclizumab, and alemtuzumab as well as targeted small molecules such as tofacitinib. Further studies are warranted to fully elucidate the role of biologic agents in non-infectious scleritis and investigate specific areas with the aim to administer treatments in the context of personalized medicine. This review summarizes the available data regarding clinical trials, small pilot studies, and real-life experience of the last two decades reporting the use of biologic agents in the management of non-infectious scleritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jurgen Sota
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences, Research Center of Systemic Autoinflammatory Diseases and Behçet's Disease Clinics, University of Siena, Policlinico "Le Scotte", viale Bracci 16, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Matteo-Maria Girolamo
- Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Bruno Frediani
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences, Research Center of Systemic Autoinflammatory Diseases and Behçet's Disease Clinics, University of Siena, Policlinico "Le Scotte", viale Bracci 16, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Gian Marco Tosi
- Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Luca Cantarini
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences, Research Center of Systemic Autoinflammatory Diseases and Behçet's Disease Clinics, University of Siena, Policlinico "Le Scotte", viale Bracci 16, 53100, Siena, Italy.
| | - Claudia Fabiani
- Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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Promelle V, Goeb V, Gueudry J. Rheumatoid Arthritis Associated Episcleritis and Scleritis: An Update on Treatment Perspectives. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10102118. [PMID: 34068884 PMCID: PMC8156434 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10102118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Episcleritis and scleritis are the most common ocular inflammatory manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) accounts for 8% to 15% of the cases of scleritis, and 2% of patients with RA will develop scleritis. These patients are more likely to present with diffuse or necrotizing forms of scleritis and have an increased risk of ocular complications and refractory scleral inflammation. In this review we provide an overview of diagnosis and management of rheumatoid arthritis-associated episcleritis and scleritis with a focus on recent treatment perspectives. Episcleritis is usually benign and treated with oral non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and/or topical steroids. Treatment of scleritis will classically include oral NSAIDs and steroids but may require disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). In refractory cases, treatment with anti TNF biologic agents (infliximab, and adalimumab) is now recommended. Evidence suggests that rituximab may be an effective option, and further studies are needed to investigate the potential role of gevokizumab, tocilizumab, abatacept, tofacitinib, or ACTH gel. A close cooperation is needed between the rheumatology or internal medicine specialist and the ophthalmologist, especially when scleritis may be the first indicator of an underlying rheumatoid vasculitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronique Promelle
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada
- EA 7516 CHIMERE, Université de Picardie Jules Verne, 80025 Amiens, France;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-416-813-8942
| | - Vincent Goeb
- EA 7516 CHIMERE, Université de Picardie Jules Verne, 80025 Amiens, France;
- Department of Rheumatology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Amiens Picardie, 80054 Amiens, France
| | - Julie Gueudry
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital Charles Nicolle, 76000 Rouen, France;
- EA7510, UFR Santé, Rouen University, F-76000 Rouen, France
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Clavel G, Gabison E, Semerano L. Corneal and scleral involvement in inflammatory rheumatic disease: Rheumatologists and ophthalmologists exchanging views. Joint Bone Spine 2019; 86:699-705. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbspin.2019.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Ghauri MI, Riaz SU, Husain A, Jafri AR, Bashir ZTA. Scleromalacia perforans: a case report. J Med Case Rep 2018; 12:155. [PMID: 29866188 PMCID: PMC5987604 DOI: 10.1186/s13256-018-1686-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Scleromalacia perforans is a rare ocular manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis which can potentially lead to blindness and is a late consequence in the course of the disease. It is an unusual finding for it to be present in a patient with joint pain without any rheumatologic progression of disease. CASE PRESENTATION We describe a rare case of scleromalacia perforans and orbital inflammatory disease in a 40-year-old Pakistani woman with apparently no associated rheumatologic deformity. It is rare in the sense that we usually see scleromalacia perforans with fixed deformities of rheumatoid arthritis in the hands or progressed systemic complications but not as a starting landmark of disease. She presented to us with pronounced eye manifestation which on further inquiry and investigation was found to be associated with rheumatoid arthritis. There was perforation of left globe on presentation and the right one was preserved. She visited various physicians and ophthalmologists and was treated with topical and systemic antibiotics but ended up losing sight in her left eye. CONCLUSION We conclude that ocular manifestations, however rare they are, should be foreseen, investigated, and treated in patients with suspected arthritis as the complication is grave and sight threatening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Ishaq Ghauri
- Department of Medicine, Jinnah Medical and Dental College, 22-23 Shaheed-e-Millat Road, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Syeda Urooj Riaz
- Department of Medicine, Jinnah Medical and Dental College, 22-23 Shaheed-e-Millat Road, Karachi, Pakistan.
| | - Amir Husain
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jinnah Medical and Dental College, 22-23 Shaheed-e-Millat Road, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Asad Raza Jafri
- Department of Ophthalmology, Karachi Medical and Dental College, Block M North Nazimabad, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Zara Tul Ain Bashir
- Department of Medicine, Jinnah Medical and Dental College, 22-23 Shaheed-e-Millat Road, Karachi, Pakistan
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