Current Practices in Ocular Tuberculosis: A Survey of Brazilian Specialists

Abstract

Purpose: To describe the approach of Brazilian specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis-associated uveitis (TBU).Methods: Members of the Brazilian Uveitis Society received an electronic invitation to participate in an online questionnaire.Results: Of the 169 invited specialists, 78 answered the questionnaire. Specialists evaluated 5.6 patients with TBU annually. Tuberculin skin test (TST, 81%) was primarily used for diagnosis. Patients with presumed TBU should always be tested for syphilis and HIV according to 51 (88%) and 47 (81%) of respondents, respectively. Chest computed tomography (CT, 72%) was preferable to chest radiography (CXR) for diagnosis. A positive TST (81%) and CXR (60%) were the main indicators of anti-tuberculous therapy, with 34%, 39%, and 14% of specialists treating for 6, 9, and 12 months, respectively.Conclusions: TST remains the preferred method for TBU diagnosis and prompt treatment by Brazilian specialists, though there is no consensus regarding disease treatment and management.

Keywords: Anti-tuberculous therapy; Brazilian survey; interferon-gamma release assay; tuberculin skin test; tuberculosis; tuberculosis-associated uveitis.