Patient-Reported Symptoms Versus Clinician-Measured Signs to Distinguish Sjogren's in Patients With Dry Eye

The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical factors that could differentiate patients with Sjogren's disease-related dry eye (SDDE) from non-SDDE.

Patients with SDDE (n = 20), non-SDDE (n = 47), and healthy control participants (n = 29) were enrolled. Patients with dry eye were required to have physician-diagnosed dry eye disease for at least 6 months prior to the study. Sjogren's diagnosis was made according to 2016 Sjogren's disease criteria. Control participants had no known dry eye diagnosis or ocular and/or autoimmune disease. Several validated questionnaires regarding overall health and perception of health, mental status, review of systems, and ocular symptom were administered concurrently. Ocular surface and tear film parameters were evaluated using strict methodology.

Each questionnaire, each section within a questionnaire, and each question within a section were evaluated. Of systemic symptom questionnaires, only Profile of Fatigue and Discomfort Questionnaire (PROFAD) differentiated between SDDE and non-SDDE (10.5 vs. 5.8, P = 0.003). Among four Sjogren's Foundation recommended review of systems questions, only dry mouth differentiated patients with SDDE from non-SDDE (90% vs. 53%, P = 0.004). No mental health or ocular symptom questionnaires were different between SDDE versus non-SDDE. Among clinician-measured ocular surface parameters, only corneal fluorescein (2.5 vs. 1.0, P = 0.006) and conjunctival lissamine green (2.0 vs. 1.0, P = 0.001) staining scores were significantly worse in patients with SDDE compared to non-SDDE.

Ocular staining and dry mouth complaints were strongly associated with SDDE.

Ocular surface vital dye staining and inquiring about dry mouth complaints can be helpful to determine whether Sjogren's laboratory work-up should be considered in patients presenting with dry eye disease.