Quality of life in sarcoidosis: comparing the impact of ocular and non-ocular involvement of the disease.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the differences in vision and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of individuals with ocular and non-ocular sarcoidosis; and to examine the impact of specific demographic and clinical factors on the noted differences.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study using non-randomized prospective cohort was conducted at the National Eye Institute (protocol number: 06-EI-0239, NCT00379275) from August 31, 2006 until November 15, 2007. Each participant completed vision and HRQOL questionnaires, the Sarcoidosis Health Questionnaire (SHQ) and the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ), along with a demographic/environmental exposure survey. Clinical data were collected through an ophthalmic exam as part of the research protocol.


RESULTS
The study enrolled 75 biopsy-proven and 20 clinically presumed sarcoidosis participants which were divided into two cohorts, ocular (N = 60) and non-ocular groups (N = 35). The ocular group had significantly lower (P < 0.01) total NEI-VFQ scores compared to the non-ocular group. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that participants with ocular sarcoidosis who had an annual household income of < $50,000 (P < 0.01) had significantly lower total SHQ scores while participants with ocular sarcoidosis whose visual acuity was 20/100 or worse had significantly lower total NEI-VFQ scores (P = 0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
Ocular involvement impacts both overall and vision-related quality of life among sarcoidosis patients. Lower economic status appears to have a significant impact on the quality of life of sarcoidosis patients. Assessment of visual function and general health status provide pertinent information for individuals with sarcoidosis and should be included in their care to assess burden of their disease on their quality of life.
Saligan
Leorey N
LN
National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.
Levy-Clarke
Grace
G
Wu
Tongtong
T
Faia
Lisa J
LJ
Wroblewski
Keith
K
Yeh
Steven
S
Nussenblatt
Robert B
RB
Sen
H Nida
HN
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000523:psychology*; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D012923:Social Class; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014785:Vision, Ocular / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult