title: [Congenital toxoplasmosis: long-term ophthalmologic follow-up praised by patients].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ocular lesions of congenital toxoplasmosis may occur and relapse unpredictably even a long time after birth. There is no consensus concerning the necessity or timing of ophthalmologic follow-up for these patients. We surveyed adults with congenital toxoplasmosis followed regularly since birth, in order to learn their perceptions of this follow-up. The goal of this study was to provide doctors with patient-reported information on how they perceived the long-term monitoring of their disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Enrolled patients were given a two-question questionnaire addressing the way they perceived the long-term follow-up and their attitudes toward continuing it. Eligible patients had to be 18 years or older and to have undergone ophthalmologic follow-ups, including funduscopy, every year since birth. The last ophthalmologic examination had to be within one year of the patient's inclusion in the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 102 patients finally included in the study, 98% stated that the follow-up was useful and 92% reassuring. Among the 11% of patients who found the follow-ups frightening, the proportion of patients with low visual acuity and low score on the visual function test was significantly higher than among the others. All patients except two wished to continue with regular follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Without general agreement or guidelines on how patients with congenital toxoplasmosis should be monitored, the patient's wishes are important in making a decision. Our study brought out a clear fact; the majority of patients found long-term follow-up useful and reassuring and wished to continue.
authors: Service de parasitologie et pathologie exotique, hôpital de la Croix-Rousse, 103, Grande-Rue-de-la-Croix-Rousse, 69317 Lyon cedex 04, France.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Beraud
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Rabilloud
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Fleury
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Wallon
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Peyron
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010465:Perception / Q000502:physiology; D057566:Self Report; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014125:Toxoplasmosis, Congenital / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D014126:Toxoplasmosis, Ocular / Q000151:congenital / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult