Abstract
Purpose :
To identify the incidence of depression in patients with active uveitis and its relationship to visual function
Methods :
This is an IRB prospective study of imaging quantification in active uveitis patients. In addition to clinical and imaging examination, patients completed the NEI VFQ- 25 (National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire- 25 with the additional sub scores Version 2000) for self-administration and a depression scale PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9). At follow-up visits, each of these scales were completed. 24 of 28 patients completed one month or more of follow-up. All patients were treated for their active inflammation with corticosteroids and/or systemic steroid sparing agents.
Results :
A total of 28 patients were enrolled. At baseline 4 patients had at least moderate depression. Baseline PHQ-9 and VFQ-37 scores averaged 6 and 77, respectively. During the study eight of twenty- eight patients (28.5%) of patients were found to have moderate depression or worse. At 1 month, mean scores measured: 5 and 73. Correlation between PHQ-9 scores and VFQ-37 scores was -.704. Severe depression was noted in 4 out of 28 patients during some point of the study.
Conclusions :
There is a high negative correlation between VFQ-25 and PHQ-9 scores with lower visual function scores associating with higher depression scale scores. Approximately 30% of patients developed at least moderate depression during treatment with 7 % developing severe depression. Uveitis patients especially those with poorer visual function are at high risk for depression symptoms. Administering these questionnaires at the time of examination could potential screen patients that may need referral to mental health providers and create better outcomes for patient care.
This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2019.