THU0127 The severity of keratoconjunctivitis sicca in rheumatoid arthritis correlates with the medical outcome study 36-item short form health survey (SF-36) score but not the disability index (HAQ-DI)

Abstract

Background: Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KSC) is the most frequent ocular manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).1 Whereas a significant proportion of patients with KCS may be asymptomatic, it is unknown if the degree of dryness of the eyes, irrespective of symptomatology, has an association with the overall quality of life and functional ability. Methods: A total of 50 Nigerian patients satisfying the 2010 ACR/EULAR classification criteria for RA were studied. Tear production was measured by unstimulated 5 min Schirmer's test (using 5mm by 35mm Whatman filter paper) and ocular staining with flourescein stain. Each patient also completed the SF-36 and HAQ-DI questionnaires. Results: The mean age of the patients was 47.2-12.5 years. Among them, 42 (84%) were females, giving a female-to-male ratio of 5.25:1. KCS was found in 15 (30%) patients among whom only 6 patients were symptomatic for dry eyes. The mean visual acuity [LogMAR (Snellen equivalent)] among the patients with and without KCS was 0.70 (6/30) and 0.10 (6/7.5), respectively. Among all patients, there was a positive correlation between the mean Schirmer's score (between each patients two eyes) and the physical component summary (r0.292, p0.008) as well as the mental component summary (r0.228, p0.030) of the SF-36. There is, however, no significant correlation between the mean Schirmer's score and the HAQ-DI (r0.148, p0.188). Conclusions: Even in asymptomatic patients, the degree of xerophthalmia may give a reliable insight into both the physical and mental quality of life but not into the degree of functional disability.