EVALUATION OF THE GERMAN VERSION OF A STANDARDISED KERATOCONUS QUESTIONNAIRE (KORQ)

Validation of the keratoconus questionnaire (KORQ) in German as a patient reported outcome measures (PROM) tool

Kepler University Clinic, Ophthalmology department, Linz, Austria

The Keratoconus Outcomes Research Questionnaire (KORQ) was specifically developed for keratoconus patients and consists of 18 items concerning visual ability and 11 items concerning keratoconus associated symptoms. Within this study 100 patients with different stages of keratoconus were included. A Rasch analysis was then performed to evaluate the questionnaire and to delete unnecessary items.

Mean age was 27.6 years (SD: ± 12). Fifty-eight percent of all patients indicated the use of contact lenses. Furthermore, 39% of all participants had undergone corneal cross-linking prior to study participation. On average the item response option 2 (mild difficulties) was chosen, but this value correlated significantly with the severity of the disease. No relevant difference in the KORQ outcome was found between cross-linked and not cross-linked patients (2.1±0.6 versus 1.9±0.6), respectively. The Rasch-analysis and the novel shortened questionnaire will be presented at the ESCRS meeting.

The results of the study suggest that the KORQ questionnaire is a useful tool to collect patient reported outcome measures (PROM) in patients with keratoconus.