The importance of visual function in the quality of life of children with uveitis

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Sheila Angeles-Han, Emory University; Kenneth W. Griffin, Cornell University; Thomas J. A. Lehman, Cornell University; John R. Rutledge, Cornell University; Stephen Lyman, Hospital for Special Surgery; Joseph T. Nguyen, Hospital for Special Surgery; Melanie J. Harrison, Wyeth Research
• Language: English
• Date: 2010-04
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2010 American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommerical-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaapos.2009.12.160
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Journal of AAPOS
• ISSN: 1091-8531
• Volume: 14
• Issue: 2
• Start Page: 163
• End Page: 168
• Grant/Funding Information: This work was supported by the Arthritis Foundation—New York Chapter; WCMC CTSC, UL1RR024996.
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Human Development; Health Sciences, Opthamology

Abstract

Background: Studies of quality of life (QOL) in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) have focused on changes in musculoskeletal function secondary to arthritis. The role of visual functionality as a result of JIA-associated uveitis and its complications has not been examined. We evaluated the individual impact of physical and visual disability on QOL in children with and without uveitis. Methods: We administered patient-based questionnaires that measured visual function, physical function, and overall QOL to 27 children with JIA or idiopathic uveitis. Demographic data, assessed joint involvement, and reviewed medical records were recorded. Groups with and without uveitis were compared for differences in arthritis and uveitis disease characteristics using the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney, χ2, and Fisher exact tests. Associations between physical or visual function and overall QOL were measured using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: Of 27 patients, 85.2% have had arthritis and 51.9% have had uveitis. The group without uveitis had increased morning stiffness (p = 0.036). The uveitis group reported more eye redness (p = 0.033) and photophobia (p = 0.013) than those without uveitis. We observed moderate associations between overall QOL and visual function in the uveitis group (r = −0.579), and overall QOL and physical function in the non-uveitis group (r = −0.562). Conclusions: This study demonstrates that visual impairment is an important component of QOL in children with uveitis. It suggests that QOL studies should incorporate both visual and physical function measures in their analyses, especially since many children with JIA also suffer from uveitis and visual impairment.