Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To assess the reliability of the Dry Eye Disease Impact Questionnaire (DEDIQ©) over time and to compare the DEDIQ© to the Ocular Surface Disease Index(OSDI©), a validated instrument used in dry eye patients. Methods: The DEDIQ© is a questionnaire consisting of 33 items that evaluate patients' dry eye symptoms and their actions taken as a result of these symptoms in various time periods. This questionnaire was administered to allergy patients from a single allergy clinic. Test-retest reliability was assessed by correlating baseline DEDIQ© scores with DEDIQ© scores assessed one month following the baseline questionnaire. Validity was assessed for items on the DEDIQ© and the OSDI© questionnaires. While the DEDIQ© and OSDI© subscales were created a priori, this study focused on item correlation using the Pearson's and Spearman correlation coefficients (r) as appropriate. Results: The DEDIQ was administered to a total of 32 patients, the final test-retest analyses included participants who completed at least 70% of the items (n=18). The highest correlations for test-retest items were frequency and severity of blurred vision, frequency of having tired/fatigued eyes, severity of blinking, and overall severity of symptoms (r≥ 0.70, p<0.05). Analysis of validity for the OSDI© and the DEDIQ© included 10 patients who completed both questionnaires. Highest correlations between the OSDI© and DEDIQ© were found for sensitivity to light and use of Rx anti-allergy/anti-inflammatory drops, as well as certain dry eye symptoms and frequency of visits to health care practitioners, respectively (r≥ 0.70, p<0.05). Exposure to environmental conditions such as air conditioning and low humidity also correlated to the frequency of dry eye symptoms(r≥ 0.70, p<0.05). Conclusions: The DEDIQ© demonstrates acceptable reliability over time and validity was found when compared to a previously validated questionnaire. Advantages of the DEDIQ© over the OSDI© include dry-eye specific questions regarding impact of the disease on patients' function and resource utilization.
Keywords: cornea: tears/tear film/dry eye • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: pre • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: hea