Clinical manifestations and outcomes in tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome: a case report and a systematic review in China

Abstract

Abstract Purpose Tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis (TINU) syndrome is an uncommon disease. We present a confirmed case of TINU syndrome, and a systematic review of epidemiological characteristics, clinical manifestations, management, and outcomes in Chinese patients. Methods A systematic search was carried out using defined terms and updated up to September 2022, in PubMed, Web of Science, Wanfang, CNKI, and VIP, to identify reported cases of TINU in China, according to PRISMA guidelines. Results An 18-year-old boy presented with elevated serum creatinine and 24-h urine protein level of > 2 g. Inspection result revealed acute tubulointerstitial nephritis, and bilateral uveitis. The patient was diagnosed with TINU syndrome and received treatment with methylprednisolone sodium succinate, which resulted in a significant decrease in creatinine and urinary protein levels. Systematic review identified 35 publications that met the inclusion criteria. A total of 71 cases were included in this article, of which 70 were from publications and 1 was from our hospital. The median age at onset was 42 years and was significantly lower in males than females (P < 0.05). The symptoms of uveitis often occurred after kidney injury (54%) and most uveitis was anterior (55%) and bilateral (75%). Among the 51 patients who were followed up for more than 6 months, 24 had recurrent ocular symptoms or progression to chronic uveitis. Twenty patients experienced chronic or progressive kidney disease. Conclusion TINU syndrome is prone to misdiagnosis because kidney damage may not occur simultaneously with uveitis. The incidence of kidney sequelae in children is lower than that in adults, and glucocorticoids are the preferred treatment. INPLASY registration number INPLASY202350050.