Epidemiology of Uveitis in Olmsted County, Minnesota: A Population-Based Follow-Up Study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose To update the incidence of uveitis in a Midwestern U.S. county population. Methods Retrospective population-based cohort study. All Olmsted County, Minnesota residents diagnosed with uveitis from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2015 were identified via the Rochester Epidemiology Project. Diagnoses were confirmed by a uveitis specialist. Results There were 371 incident uveitis cases, yielding an overall age- and sex-adjusted incidence rate of 26.9 per 100,000 per year (95% CI: 24.1–29.7). Females accounted for 202 (54.4%) cases, 306 (82.5%) were White, and 299 (80.6%) were anterior uveitis. Highest incidence was observed in patients ≥65 years old. No difference in incidence existed between sexes (p = .17). Incidence rates increased with age for uveitis overall (all anatomic subtypes) (p < .001), anterior uveitis (p < .001), and posterior uveitis (p < .001). Idiopathic uveitis accounted for 168 (45.3%) cases, more frequently diagnosed in females (50.0%) than males (39.6%) (p = .05). Conclusion Uveitis incidence increased 1.6-fold over a 50-year span in this predominately White U.S. Midwestern county population.