Self-Reported Quality of Life in Patients with Long-Standing Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Disease

Abstract

Purpose: To assess health-related (HR-) and vision-related (VR-) quality of life (QoL) in patients with long-standing Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease (VKHD). Methods: Cross-sectional study of 49 patients with disease duration >= 12 months followed at Uveitis Service, Universidade de Sao Paulo, BR, for at least 12 months. HR- and VR-QoL were evaluated using SF-36 and NEI VFQ-25 questionnaires, respectively. Demographic, clinical and visual function data were compared with questionnaire scores. Results: After generalized linear models, lower mensal household income was associated with lower scores in both questionnaires while unemployment was associated with SF-36 questionnaire only. Treatment with peri-/intraocular medications and ocular surgery were associated with higher scores on SF-36 questionnaire. Worse visual acuity (VA), ocular complications and no ocular surgery were related to lower scores on NEI VFQ-25 questionnaire. Conclusions: On HR- and VR-QoL questionnaires difficulties perceived by patients with long-standing VKHD were mainly associated with socio-economic aspects, VA, local treatment and ocular complications.