Quality of Life in Keratoconus: Evaluation With Keratoconus Outcomes Specific Questionnaire (KORQ)

Purpose: To assess quality of life in keratoconus patients using the Keratoconus Outcomes Research Questionnaire (KORQ) translated and validated to Portuguese language. KORQ is the only validated keratoconus specific questionnaire and has high rating for psychometric properties. Methods: : In this cross-sectional study enrolled 100 patients with keratoconus from a tertiary referral eye hospital, from April 2018 to June 2019. Associations between age, gender, allergic conjunctivitis, keratoconus stage, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), maximum simulated keratometry (Kmax), steep keratometry (K2), pachymetry, treatments performed, hydrops and KORQ scores were evaluated with univariate (Wilcoxon test and the Kruskal Wallis test) and multivariate linear regression with stepwise backward modeling. Lower scores of KORQ are associated with better quality of life, as well as higher scores are associated with greater impairment of functional activities and symptoms. Results: : Out of the 100 patients, mild, moderate and severe keratoconus, was observed in 15%, 46% and 39% of participants, respectively. Univariate analysis showed lower values for function scores with male gender (p<0.05) and both functional and symptoms scores statistically associated with BCVA<0.3 (LogMAR) (p<0.05). Multivariate analysis indicated significantly lower functional scores in individuals with BCVA<0.3 (p<0.001) and those with history of crosslinking treatment (p=0.022), while symptom scores were only statistically associated with BCVA<0.3 (p<0.001). Conclusions: : In patients with keratoconus, BCVA in the better eye and history of crosslinkig are factors were associated with better quality of life scores using KORQ.