Tubulointerstitial Nephritis and Uveitis Syndrome: A Case Report

TL;DR

TINU syndrome is a rare autoimmune condition involving kidney and eye inflammation, often missed in diagnosis.

Contribution

This case report highlights TINU in an adult, emphasizing the need for kidney screening in uveitis patients.

Findings

TINU syndrome was diagnosed in an adult female with chronic uveitis and advanced kidney disease.

Renal biopsy confirmed tubulointerstitial nephritis features consistent with TINU.

The case underscores the importance of considering TINU in uveitis patients.

Abstract

Tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis (TINU) syndrome is an uncommon autoimmune disorder that is defined by tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis. It is frequently underdiagnosed or goes unrecognized due to the challenges of accurately diagnosing the syndrome. TINU has mostly been seen among female pediatric patients with primarily bilateral anterior uveitis. However, screening for kidney disease often is overlooked; therefore, it is important for ophthalmologists, nephrologists, and rheumatologists to routinely screen for kidney disease and have TINU as a differential. We present a case of an adult female who had bilateral anterior uveitis for several years and then was found to have advanced chronic kidney disease, showing tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN) features on renal biopsy.

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