Systemic lupus erythematosus-associated uveitis is more frequent in females.
Sex Differences in Uveitis Etiology: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Tom Liba et al. · Ocular immunology and inflammation · 2026
Purpose
To investigate sex-related differences in uveitis etiologies through a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Methods
Eligible cohort or cross-sectional studies reported sex-disaggregated data on known uveitis etiologies.
n = 2,465 records
Results
lupus-associated eye inflammation is more frequent in females
RR 2.44 (95% CI 1.41 to 4.22)
null 1
1.41
4.22
CI excludes the null - significant
More results
Of 2,465 records, 19 studies met inclusion criteria, conducted across Asia, Europe, South America, the Middle East, and Africa.
More results
Several were more frequent among males: Behçet's disease (RR 0.52,0.36-0.75), sympathetic ophthalmia (RR 0.49,0.34-0.71), syphilitic uveitis (RR 0.41,0.28-0.60), and ankylosing spondylitis-associated uveitis (RR 0.55,0.47-0.65).
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Conclusion · 1 of 3
Sex-related differences were observed within the included specialist cohorts.
Conclusion · 2 of 3
Autoimmune-associated uveitis was relatively more frequent among females, whereas HLA-B27-associated and certain infectious etiologies were more frequent among males.
Conclusion · 3 of 3
Recognition of these patterns may support diagnostic evaluation in specialist settings, but should not be interpreted as universal sex-specific prevalence patterns across all uveitis populations.