Resource Page

CLINICAL FEATURES, VISION AND HEALTH RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH PRESUMED OCULAR TOXOPLASMOSIS AT IRRUA SPECIALIST TEACHING HOSPITAL, IRRUA, EDO STATE, NIGERIA

Email:
Supervisor: PROF A.E. OMOTI AND DR M.E. ENOCK
Faculty: OPHTHALMOLOGY
Month: 11
Year: 2013

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the clinical features, vision and health related quality of life in patients with Presumed Ocular Toxoplasmosis in Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Edo State, and to ascertain if general health is more affected than visual functioning. Sixty nine patients with varying degree of severity of presumed ocular toxoplasmosis and 69 age and sex matched controls attending the eye clinic of Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital from August to October 2012 were enrolled into the study. Data was obtained using interviewer administered questionnaires. Examination included visual acuity, measurement of intra-ocular pressure, slit lamp examination, gonioscopy, and dilated fundoscopy. Vision related quality of life was assessed using the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire, while the 36-Short Form Health Survey Questionnaire was used to assess the health related quality of life in these patients. Analysis of data was done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 16. The peak age group for patients with presumed ocular toxoplasmosis was 60 years and above. The mean age for the cases was 57.16 (SD ± 18.69) and the control 56.09 (SD ± 16.01). There was no significant difference between the two groups (p>0.05). The most common presenting complaints was blurring of vision occurring in 100% of cases. Additional complaints included photophobia, deep ocular pain, floaters, and redness. The mean duration of symptoms was 13.90 months (SD ± 20.446). Drinking unfiltered water only was the most common risk factor (84.05%). Other associated risk factors included exposure to cats, and i ingestion of poorly cooked meat. Of the 69 patients, there were 62 unilateral and 7 bilateral cases. Of the 76 eyes seen, fifty three eyes (69.7%) were blind by World Health Organisation criteria. Posterior uveitis was present in 82.6% of the patients while panuveitis was present in 17.4%. Sixty one patients (88.4%) were in the active state. Fifty - six patients (81.2%) presented as a result of recurrence. The posterior pole (56.5%) was the most common site of inflammation. The most common ocular complication in these patients was cataract, seen in 12(15.8%) of the 76 eyes of the participants. Patients with presumed ocular toxoplasmosis had a significantly reduced vision related quality of life (p<0.001). Female patients had significantly lower distant vision, vision specific social functioning and color vision (p<0.05). Those patients with no formal education had significantly lower mental health scores (p<0.05). Patients with bilateral ocular toxoplasmosis had significantly lower scores in the vision specific social functioning subscale (p<0.05). Patients with severe disease had significantly lower scores than those with mild disease for the items: ocular pain, (p<0.05); near activities, (p<0.01); distance activities, (p< 0.01); social functioning, (p<0.01); mental health, (p<0.05); role difficulties, (p<0.01); dependency, (p<0.01); driving, (p<0.05); and color vision, (p<0.01). Those with Logarithm of Minimum Angle of Resolution visual acuity of > 1.0 (<6/60) in the worse eye had significantly lower scores for all the items in the subscales, p<0.01. Patients with presumed ocular toxoplasmosis had reduced perception of their general health compared with control (p<0.01). Vision was more adversely affected than general health in patients with presumed ocular toxoplasmosis. The most common presenting complaint was blurring of vision. There was a general reduction in vision and health related quality of life. However, vision related quality of life was more reduced compared to health related quality of life in patients with presumed ocular toxoplasmosis. Health education of the population on the risk factors for transmission of toxoplasmosis and provision of pipe borne water can help reduce the problem of ocular ii toxoplasmosis. Ophthalmologist should include measures to improve the quality of life such as use of low vision aids. This should be part of the management of patients with presumed ocular toxoplasmosis.

© 2024 NPMCN, All Rights Reserved
Powered by: