Description

Haroon et al developed the Dublin Uveitis Evaluation Tool (DUET) for evaluating a patient with acute anterior uveitis. This included screening criteria for spondyloarthropathy. The authors are from St. Vincent’s University Hospital and Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital in Dublin, Ireland


 

Patient selection: acute anterior uveitis

 

Outcome: referral to a rheumatologist

 

Parameters:

(1) clinical findings

(2) HLA B-27

 

Clinical findings – one or more of the following:

(1) inflammatory backache (see below)

(2) sacroiliitis on imaging studies (MRI or X-rays)

(3) joint pain and swelling

(4) heel pain (plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis)

(5) family history of spondyloarthropathy

(6) psoriasis

(7) inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

 

In the implementation uveitis was added as one of the clinical findings. It may be necessary to raise the number of clinical findings to 2 from 1.

 

Criteria for inflammatory backache – 3 or more of the following:

(1) morning stiffness >= 30 minutes

(2) improvement with exercise but not with rest

(3) awakening because of back pain in the second half of the night

(4) alternating buttock pain

 

The authors also referenced back pain with onset at an age less than 45 years and duration > 3 months.

 

The patient is referred to a rheumatologist if one or both of the parameters is positive.

 


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