The relationship between stress and acute anterior uveitis

Abstract

To examine the relationship between stress and anterior uveitis using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and the Social Readjustment Rating Questionnaire (SRRQ). Patients attending eye casualty with acute anterior uveitis (AAU) and suitable controls were asked to complete the GHQ and the SRRQ. A follow-up postal survey, using the same questionnaires, was repeated at least 3 months later amongst AAU patients only. Scores for the GHQ and SRRQ at initial presentation and at follow-up were compared for different groups. Over 12 months, 42 patients and 25 controls participated in the first stage of this study. Patients with AAU had higher GHQ scores than controls (mean 6.8 versus 3.2, p = 0.01). A total of 25 patients responded to the follow-up postal survey. At follow-up, 13 had experienced resolution and 12 had recurrence. In the group with resolution, there was a significant fall in GHQ scores (mean 6.1 versus 1.5, p = 0.0044). Patients with recurrence had higher GHQ scores than those with resolution (mean 6.8 versus 1.5, p = 0.02). Using the GHQ reveals a clear relationship between stress and the recurrence of AAU in susceptible individuals.