Vision-related quality of life and psychosocial well-being of patients with episcleritis and scleritis: a neglected essence?

Abstract

Background To assess the change in vision-related quality of life and psychosocial well-being of the patients with episcleritis and scleritis patients before and after treatment. Results This one-and-a-half-year prospective study was conducted among 76 eyes of 71 new patients of episcleritis and scleritis. A structured questionnaire was used to assess the visual and to analyze the change in effect size. The male-to-female ratio was 1:1.536. Episcleritis was seen in 41 cases (57.7%) while scleritis was seen in 30 cases (42.3%). Patients with episcleritis had statistically significant improvement in general function score (GF) (p < 0.05) using paired t-test. The effect size showed medium improvement (approximately 0.5). Whereas there was no statistically significant change in psychosocial impact (PI), visual symptoms (VS) scoring, and a total score (p < 0.05) using paired t-test. The effect size showed no improvement for PI and total score and small improvement for VS score. Patients with scleritis had statistically significant improvement in general function score (GF), visual symptoms (VS) scoring and total score (p < 0.05) using paired-t-test. The effect size showed medium improvement (approximately 0.5) for general function score (GF) and total score. However, the effect size showed only a small improvement (approximately 0.2) for psychosocial impact (PI) score. Conclusions VisionRelated Quality of Life of patients with scleritis showed significant improvement following treatment unlike episcleritis indicating scleritis more adversely affecting psychosocial well-being.

Online support group for patients with inflammatory eye disease: Characterisation of members and assessment of benefits

“…3 Uveitis and scleritis may negatively influence patients' quality of life (QoL) through visual impairment, associated ocular and systemic manifestations and side effects related to treatments. 9,10 They have also been associated with high levels of psychological stress, anxiety and depression, with subsequent harm to patients' education and career progression. [10][11][12] Although these diseases may occur in individuals of any age, they most commonly affect working-age adults between the third and sixth decades of life, which may cause a significant socioeconomic impact.…”

“…9,10 They have also been associated with high levels of psychological stress, anxiety and depression, with subsequent harm to patients' education and career progression. [10][11][12] Although these diseases may occur in individuals of any age, they most commonly affect working-age adults between the third and sixth decades of life, which may cause a significant socioeconomic impact. 8,13 Moreover, some conditions have a juvenile age-of-onset, exhibiting a substantial negative effect on patients' performance and a dependence on informal caregivers, which may severely impact QoL.…”

“…Uveitis and scleritis may negatively influence patients' quality of life (QoL) through visual impairment, associated ocular and systemic manifestations and side effects related to treatments 9,10 . They have also been associated with high levels of psychological stress, anxiety and depression, with subsequent harm to patients' education and career progression 10–12 .…”

Colombian ocular inflammatory diseases epidemiology study (COIDES): prevalence, incidence and sociodemographic characterisation of Scleritis in Colombia, 2015–2020

“…This could cause irreversible damage since many patients with scleritis had no follow-up by the ophthalmologist. Additionally, the data show that although there may be an under-registration, many patients with the disease could remain undiagnosed, leading to possible complications affecting their visual health, psychological health, quality of life and psychosocial well-being 28 29. Unfortunately, no published articles report the incidence of scleritis during the global pandemic; therefore, we do not have any data to compare our findings in this regard.…”

Colombian Ocular Inflammatory Diseases Epidemiology Study (COIDES): Prevalence, Incidence, and Sociodemographic Characterization of Scleritis in Colombia, 2015-2020

“…This could cause irreversible damage since many patients with scleritis had no follow-up by the ophthalmologist. Additionally, the data show that although there may be an under-registration, many patients with the disease could remain undiagnosed, leading to possible complications affecting their visual health, psychological health, quality of life, and psychosocial well-being [28,29]. Unfortunately, no published articles report the incidence of scleritis during the global pandemic; therefore, we do not have any data to compare our findings in this regard.…”