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Dry eye disease in chronic graft-versus-host disease: results from a Spanish retrospective cohort study

P de la Parra-Colín1, A L D Agahan, J A Pérez-Simón

  • 1IOBA, Institute of Applied Ophthalmobiology, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain.

Transplantation Proceedings
|June 23, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Dry eye disease (DED) affects 40% of patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Symptoms like photophobia and irritation are common, but DED often improves with time.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Hematology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a significant complication following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).
  • Dry eye disease (DED) is a potential ocular complication in HSCT recipients, but its incidence and characteristics in chronic GVHD are not well-defined.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the incidence, clinical features, and outcomes of dry eye disease (DED) in patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).
  • To evaluate the long-term ophthalmologic status of patients undergoing HSCT and developing chronic GVHD.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 109 patient charts from HSCT between January 2000 and December 2005.
  • Data abstraction from 57 patients who developed chronic GVHD and survived at least 180 days post-allogeneic HSCT.
  • Analysis of DED incidence, symptoms, signs, and treatment requirements.

Main Results:

  • Dry eye disease (DED) occurred in 22 (40%) of chronic GVHD patients, with onset averaging 16.5 months post-HSCT.
  • Photophobia, irritation, and foreign body sensation were the most frequent symptoms; punctate keratitis was the most common sign.
  • DED generally improved over time, with less than 5% requiring >2 topical medications at follow-up end.

Conclusions:

  • Dry eye disease (DED) is a common complication in patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) post-HSCT.
  • Ophthalmologic evaluation is crucial for managing DED in this patient population.
  • Most cases of DED associated with chronic GVHD show improvement over time, reducing the need for intensive treatment.

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