Drug-Related Uveitis: A Real-World Study Based on the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System Database

Abstract

Purpose:

This research aimed to assess the drug risk of drug-related uveitis (DRU) and track the epidemiological characteristics of DRU by real-world data.

Materials and Methods:

This research analyzed adverse drug event data from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database from January 2004 to December 2024. Disproportionality analysis and the Bayesian Confidence Propagation Neural Network algorithm were conducted to classify DRU, assess risk levels, and compare drug-induced onset times across different categories.

Results:

Two hundred sixty-nine drugs were reported with adverse drug events of uveitis in the FEARS database. After disproportionality analysis and review, 39 drugs were found to have positive signals with DRU. These drugs include antineoplastic agents (e.g., targeted small-molecule inhibitors, immune checkpoint inhibitors), ophthalmic drugs (e.g., prostaglandin analogues, angiogenesis inhibitors), antibiotics (e.g., rifabutin, cefuroxime), and other drugs (e.g., bisphosphonates, vaccine). The top 3 drugs of the highest risk values are faricimab (ROR = 151.07), pegcetacoplan (ROR = 130.51), and rifabutin (ROR = 103.40). Antibiotics have the shortest drug-induced onset times (mean days = 20.55) among 4 categories. Females (59.43%) and the elderly (average age = 52.23 ± 20.92 years) were predominantly affected. DRU shows an increasing trend in the past 20 years.

Conclusions:

Preventing DRU is more effective than treatment. Identifying the risk and drug-induced onset times of these drugs could help medication evaluations and, to a certain extent, avoid the occurrence of DRU.