Epidemiology of episcleritis and scleritis in urban Australia

Abstract

Importance: The epidemiology of episcleritis and scleritis in Australia is largely unknown. Background: To determine the incidence, prevalence and clinical characteristics of episcleritis and scleritis in Melbourne. Design: Retrospective longitudinal study. Participants: Patients aged ≥18 years with episcleritis or scleritis seen at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital from November 2014 to October 2015. Methods: Medical record review confirmed clinical diagnosis and characteristics. Incidence and prevalence were calculated using estimates of the adult population in areas of Melbourne with ≥30 ocular presentations/year to the emergency department. Main Outcome Measures: Diagnosis of active episcleritis or scleritis, aetiology, ocular complications and treatments. Results: From a general population of 3 408 068, we confirmed 149 new and 23 pre-existing cases of active episcleritis, and 35 new and 23 pre-existing cases of active scleritis. Incidence per 100 000 person-years was 4.4 (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.7-5.1) for episcleritis and 1.0 (95% CI 0.7-1.4) for scleritis, while 12-month prevalence was 5.1 (95% CI 4.3-5.9) and 1.7 (1.3-2.2) per 100 000 persons, respectively. Systemic disease was associated with 10% of episcleritis compared with 34% of scleritis (P