HLA‐B27‐associated acute anterior uveitis in the University Referral Centre in North Thailand: clinical presentation and visual prognosis

BACKGROUND: Acute anterior uveitis (AAU) is the most frequent type of uveitis encountered in the west. Although human leucocyte antigen (HLA)‐B27‐associated ankylosing spondylitis was reported in South East Asia, it is not known whether HLA‐B27‐associated ocular disease is prevalent in Thailand. METHODS: A prospective study of 100 unrelated blood donors and 121 consecutive patients with AAU was carried out. All people underwent HLA‐B27 typing and full ocular examination. Radiological examination of the sacroiliac joints was conducted in patients with low back pain or arthralgias. RESULTS: The prevalence of HLA‐B27 was 10% among the blood donors in contrast with 44% in the AAU group (p<0.001). The clinical characteristics of HLA‐B27‐associated AAU were similar to those published throughout the world (unilaterality in 74%, hypopyon in 31%, recurrent AAU in 64%). However, the increased intraocular pressure (IOP) was more common in the HLA‐B‐27‐negative group (p = 0.03) than in their HLA‐B27‐positive counterparts. At least 15% of the HLA B27‐positive group had radiological signs of ankylosing spondylitis. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of HLA‐B27 in the population without uveitis in Thailand is about 10% and clinical characteristics of HLA‐B27‐positive AAU are similar to those reported in the west. In contrast with earlier reports, HLA‐B27‐negative AAU in Thailand was associated with increased IOP and should be further studied

Radon in air and water

Radon is a natural radioactive gas that you cannot see, smell, or taste and that can only be detected with special equipment. It is produced by the radioactive decay of radium, which in turn is derived from the radioactive decay of uranium. Uranium is found in small quantities in all soils and rocks, although the amount varies from place to place. Radon decays to form radioactive particles that can enter the body by inhalation. Inhalation of the short-lived decay products of radon has been linked to an increase in the risk of developing cancers of the respiratory tract, especially of the lungs. Breathing radon in the indoor air of homes contributes to about 15,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States and 1,100 in the UK (HPA 2009). Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths