Incidence and prevalence of uveitis in Northern California: The Northern California Epidemiology of Uveitis Study

To determine the incidence and prevalence of uveitis in a large, well-defined population in Northern California. Cross-sectional study using retrospective database and medical record review. A group of 2070 people within 6 Northern California medical center communities (N = 731 898) who had a potential diagnosis of uveitis. The patient database of a large health maintenance organization (2 805 443 members at time of the study) was searched for all patients who, during a 12-month period, had the potential diagnosis of uveitis. Detailed quarterly gender- and age-stratified population data were available. Medical records of patients who potentially had uveitis and who were members of the 6 target communities were reviewed by 2 uveitis subspecialists to confirm the diagnosis of uveitis and to establish time of onset. Demographic and clinical data were gathered for patients meeting the clinical definition of uveitis. Incidence rates were calculated by using a dynamic population model. Prevalence rates were based on the mid–study period population. Presence and date of onset of uveitis. At midstudy, the population for the 6 communities was 731 898. During the target period, 382 new cases of uveitis were diagnosed; 462 cases of uveitis were diagnosed before the target period. These data yielded an incidence of 52.4/100 000 person-years and a period prevalence of 115.3/100 000 persons. The incidence and prevalence of disease were lowest in pediatric age groups and were highest in patients 65 years or older ( P