Patient-reported burden and overall impact of dry eye disease across eight European countries: a cross-sectional web-based survey. Issue 3 (17th March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Boboridis, Kostas G; Messmer, Elisabeth M; Benítez-del-Castillo, José; Meunier, Juliette; Sloesen, Brigitte; O'Brien, Paul; Quadrado, Maria Joao; Rolando, Maurizio; Labetoulle, Marc
• Is Part Of: BMJ open. Volume 13:Issue 3(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-03-17
• Subjects: ophthalmology -- epidemiology -- primary care -- corneal and external diseases -- public health; Medicine -- Research -- Periodicals; 610.72
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-067007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2044-6055

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial disease involving the tears and ocular surface. It impacts a patient's quality of life (QoL) and ability to perform daily activities. This study assessed the burden of self-reported DED among adults in eight European countries. Design: Online cross-sectional survey. Setting: General population in France, Italy, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. Participants: Adults aged ≥18 years with (n=6084) and without (n=6161) self-reported DED were recruited via emails and screened. Main outcome measures: All participants completed National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (NEI-VFQ-25) and EuroQol-5 Dimension-5 Level Questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L). All DED participants completed the Eye Dryness Score (EDS) Visual Analogue Scale, and Ocular Comfort Index and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire: Specific Health Problem questionnaires. In addition, half of the respondents with DED completed Survey A (Impact of Dry Eye on Everyday Life) and the other half completed Survey B (Standard Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness Questionnaire) and Dry Eye Questionnaire-5. Results: Participants with self-reported DED had lower functional vision and lower overall health status than participants without self-reported DED as measured by the NEI-VFQ and EQ-5D-5L, respectively. Increasing self-reported DED severity as measured by the EDS was shown to correspond with worse symptom severity/frequency, lower functional vision, higher impact on work productivity, daily activities and QoL. Conclusion: This study showed that patients' reported burden of self-reported DED was similar across the eight European countries. Those with self-reported DED reported lower health status and functional vision compared to those without self-reported DED and these parameters worsen with increasing disease severity.