Evaluation Of Symptoms And Quality Of Life In Dry Eye Disease Patients , Using The Pentascore And The Ocular Surface Disease Index

To compare the Pentascore to Ocular surface Disease Index(OSDI), in evaluating symptoms and quality of life in dry eye disease (DED) patients .

B Ophthalmology department, Hedi Raies Institute of Tunis 

We conducted a cross-sectional prospective study,including patients diagnosed with DED,between January2022 and June2022,in the B ophthalmology department of Hedi Raies institute.DED symptoms were evaluated according to the OSDI, and the Pentascore, which includes five items,evaluating the intensity of ocular discomfort(item1),its frequency(item2),the impact of DED on daily activities(item3),on visual tasks (item4)and the efficacy of treatment(item 5).All patients underwent ophthalmic examination:ocular surface parameters were assessed,combining Schirmer's I test,break-up time(BUT),conjunctival redness, corneal staining using Oxford score,before and after treatment.

Sixty two patients,diagnosed with DED were included in the study.Mean age was 56,16±6.3years,with a female predominance(sex ratio:1/6).DED etiologies were various,in the study group:6patients(9,7%)had hypothyroidism,25patients(40,3%) Sjorgen syndrome,16patients(25,8%)rheumatic arthritis, 7patients(11,29%)allergy and14patients(22,58%)meibomian gland dysfunction.The mean OSDI score was 56,91.The mean Pentascore was 65,57/55/56,36/ 69,4 and 63,97,respectively for items 1/2/3/4 and 5.Each item of the Pentascore was significantly correlated with the OSDI(p<0.05).BUT and Oxford score were correlated with items 1,3and4(p<0.04).Satisfaction with treatment evaluated through item 5, was associated to less conjunctival redness and longer BUT(p<0.05). 

DED symptoms experienced by patients could be evaluated by various scores, including mainly the OSDI and Pentascore. Both scores study different aspects of the same phenomenon. Pentascore seems to be more precise and effective in evaluating the quality of life and satisfaction with treatment. Further studies with larger samples are needed.