Validity of using vision-related quality of life as a treatment end point in intermediate and posterior uveitis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the responsiveness of the Vision core module 1 (VCM1) vision-related quality of life (VR-QOL) questionnaire to changes in visual acuity in patients with posterior and intermediate uveitis and to validate its use as a clinical end point in uveitis.


METHODS
Logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity and VR-QOL using the VCM1 questionnaire were prospectively recorded in 37 patients with active posterior segment intraocular inflammation before starting systemic immunosuppression with ciclosporin, tacrolimus or the anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) agent, p55TNFr-Ig, and again 3 months later. Spearman analysis was used to correlate improvements in visual acuity and VR-QOL between baseline and 3 months.


RESULTS
The correlation between changes in visual acuity and VR-QOL was moderate to good for the worse eye (r = 0.47, p = 0.003), but poor for the better eye (r = -0.05, p = 0.91). The responsiveness indices effect size and standardised response mean were 0.57 and 0.59, respectively, showing that the VCM1 questionnaire is moderately responsive to immunsosuppressive therapy for active uveitis.


CONCLUSIONS
Changes in VR-QOL measured with the VCM1 questionnaire correlated moderately well with changes in the worse eye visual acuity, suggesting that the VCM1 is a valid instrument for monitoring response to treatment in uveitis.
Murphy
Conor C
CC
Department of Ophthalmology, Royal Perth Hospital, Victoria Square, Perth, WA 6000, Australia. conorcmurphy@hotmail.com
Greiner
Kathrin
K
Plskova
Jarka
J
Frost
N Andrew
NA
Forrester
John V
JV
Dick
Andrew D
AD
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D015867:Uveitis, Intermediate / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015866:Uveitis, Posterior / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D016572:Cyclosporine; D016559:Tacrolimus