Quality of life in keratoconus: evaluation with Keratoconus Outcomes Specific Questionnaire (KORQ)

Abstract

Purpose : To assess quality of life in keratoconus patients using the Keratoconus Outcomes Research Questionnaire (KORQ) translated and validated to Portuguese language. KORQ is the only validated keratoconus specific questionnaire proved to have high rating for psychometric properties

Methods : In this cross-sectional study, data of 100 keratoconus patients were collected from a tertiary referral eye hospital, during routine follow up. A translated and validated version of KORQ was applied to evaluate the impact of keratoconus on patients’ quality of life. Using this tool, we evaluated functional and symptom scores. Associations between age, gender, allergic conjunctivitis, keratoconus stage, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), maximum simulated keratometry (Kmax), steep keratometry (K2), pachymetry, treatments performed, hydrops and KORQ scores were evaluated with univariate and multivariable regression adjusted for age and gender. In addition, a mobile app is being developed, with basic information about keratoconus and availability of KORQ for patient completion

Results : Of the 100 patients, 15, 46 and 39 had mild, moderate, and severe keratoconus, respectively. KORQ scores in male patients were 41,30±25,38 for functional and 44,71±26,84 for symptoms and in female patients 54,34±25,99 for functional and 56,06±27,02 for symptoms There was a statistically significant association between visual acuity and functional scores (p <0.0001) and symptoms (p <0.0001). Individuals with visual acuity lower than 0.3 LogMAR had lower scores than individuals with visual acuity higher or equal 0,3 LogMAR. All other parameters had no significant association to KORQ scores.

Conclusions : The mobile app under development will allow better monitoring of the disease for patients and ophthalmologists. Patients with keratoconus presented strongest correlation with functional and symptoms scores using KORQ with BCVA.

This is a 2020 ARVO Annual Meeting abstract.