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Predictors for Dry Eye Diseases in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis.
Wipada Laovirojjanakul1, Yosanan Yospaiboon1, Orapin Anutarapongpan1
1KKU Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
Clinical Ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.)
|October 20, 2022
Summary
Dry eye disease (DED) affects over half of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients. Older age and longer disease duration are key predictors, necessitating regular screening for early detection and management.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Rheumatology
- Systemic Autoimmune Diseases
Background:
- Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by fibrosis and vascular abnormalities.
- Dry eye disease (DED) is a common complication affecting the ocular surface.
- Understanding DED prevalence and risk factors in SSc is crucial for patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of DED in patients with limited and diffuse systemic sclerosis (SSc).
- To identify predictive factors associated with the development of DED in SSc patients.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, cross-sectional study involving 84 SSc patients.
- Comprehensive ophthalmological evaluation including Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), tear break-up time (TBUT), Schirmer I test, and ocular surface staining (OSS).
- DEWS II diagnostic criteria used for DED diagnosis; logistic regression for factor analysis.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of DED among SSc patients was 52.38%.
- No significant differences in DED indicators (OSDI, TBUT, Schirmer I, OSS) were observed between SSc subtypes.
- Older age (P=0.004) and longer disease duration (P=0.019) were significant predictors of DED.
Conclusions:
- DED is highly prevalent in patients with systemic sclerosis.
- Older age and longer disease duration are significant risk factors for DED in SSc.
- Routine DED screening, including OSDI and objective tests, is recommended for all SSc patients, especially older individuals with long-standing disease.
