Objective
To compare vision-related functioning and health-related quality of life of patients with noninfectious intermediate or posterior uveitis with those of the US general population and normal-vision reference groups.
Methods
Secondary analysis of health-related quality of life measures administered at baseline to patients with noninfectious intermediate or posterior uveitis participating in the HURON trial, a 26-week, multicenter, masked, randomized, sham-controlled trial of a dexamethasone intravitreal implant (n = 224) was performed. Patient-reported outcome measures included the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire–25, the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey, the Short Form–6 Dimensions, and the EuroQol-5D. The National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire–25 scores from the HURON uveitis population were compared with published National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire–25 scores from a normal-vision reference group (n = 122). The 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey, Short Form–6 Dimensions, and EuroQol-5D scores were compared with the US general population using data from the National Health Measurement Study (n = 3844) and the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (n = 955).
Results
Compared with a normal-vision population, the HURON uveitis population had clinically significant impairments across all National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire–25 subscales and the composite score, with all subscale score differences exceeding 10 points (P < .001). The HURON uveitis population had significantly lower 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey mental component summary and Short Form–6 Dimensions scores compared with a US general population sample (P < .001). No significant differences were found for the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey physical component summary and EuroQol-5D scores between the uveitis and US general population samples.
Conclusions
Compared with the US general population and normal-vision reference groups, noninfectious intermediate or posterior uveitis results in meaningful reductions in mental health outcomes, health-related quality of life, and vision-related functioning.
Trial Registration
clinicaltrials.gov Identifier:NCT00333814