Michaelov Evan, McKenna Caroline, Ibrahim Pierre, Nayeni Manav, Dang Arpit, Mather Rookaya
Department of Ophthalmology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada.
Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada.
J Clin Med. 2022 May 16;11(10):2809. doi: 10.3390/jcm11102809.
Sjögren's syndrome-related dry eye disease (SS-DED) often involves more severe dry eye symptoms than people with non-SS dry eye disease (DED). This cross-sectional study employed an anonymous self-administered questionnaire to understand the experience of people living with SS-DED and to identify factors affecting adherence to DED self-care. Participants reported difficulty with visual tasks such as driving, and diminished enjoyment in daily activities due to DED symptoms. Almost 80% reported being worried about a reduced quality of life due to DED, and over 50% reported fear of blindness. The most common reasons for non-adherence were cost of therapy and forgetting to instill drops. Drop rationing to reduce cost of therapy was endorsed by 83% of respondents. Only 3% of respondents had private insurance for non-prescription agents required to treat DED. A quarter of respondents reported they would not disclose non-adherence to their eye care provider. Multiple regression analysis revealed age was a significant contributor to missing drops. This is the first study to report on the financial burden experienced by SS-DED patients in Canada. This paper identified strategies used by patients to reduce the cost of therapy and its impact on adherence to treatment. Patients may be reluctant to disclose challenges regarding adherence to DED therapy, as well as fears of worsening quality of life.
干燥综合征相关干眼疾病（SS-DED）通常比非SS干眼疾病（DED）患者的干眼症状更为严重。这项横断面研究采用匿名自填问卷的方式，以了解SS-DED患者的经历，并确定影响DED自我护理依从性的因素。参与者报告了诸如驾驶等视觉任务方面的困难，以及由于DED症状导致日常活动乐趣减少。近80%的人报告担心由于DED导致生活质量下降，超过50%的人报告害怕失明。不依从的最常见原因是治疗费用和忘记滴眼药水。83%的受访者认可通过减少眼药水用量来降低治疗成本。只有3%的受访者拥有治疗DED所需非处方药物的私人保险。四分之一的受访者报告他们不会向眼科护理人员透露不依从的情况。多元回归分析显示年龄是漏用眼药水的一个重要因素。这是第一项报道加拿大SS-DED患者所经历经济负担的研究。本文确定了患者为降低治疗成本及其对治疗依从性影响所采用的策略。患者可能不愿透露与DED治疗依从性相关的挑战，以及对生活质量恶化的担忧。
