LAUSR

PURPOSE (1) Compare the burden related to dry eye with systemic symptoms of Sjögren's; (2) Estimate the burden related to ocular treatments; and (3) Compare the impact of dry eye and extraocular manifestations of Sjögren's on various aspects of patient life. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. METHODS We conducted of postal survey of adult patients with a history of physician-diagnosed Sjögren's. RESULTS The survey was completed by 2,961 patients (mean age 65.1 years, standard deviation 11.7), most of whom were women (96%) and white (94%). Forty-one patients younger than 18 years of age were excluded. More than half (53%) experienced severe dry eye (i.e., dry eye daily/almost daily with major impact on their life). Corresponding proportions for dry mouth and fatigue were 48% and 45%, respectively. Almost all patients (97%) had used non-prescription eye drops/artificial tears/ointments. Compared with patients who did not experience dry eye, those who experienced significant dry eye (i.e., daily/almost daily dry eye) more often agreed that living with Sjögren's made every day a challenge (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3.81, 95% CI 2.49 to 5.86) and added a significant emotional burden (adjusted OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.49 to 3.31). Adjusted ORs for the impact of dry eye were generally lower than those for fatigue, but similar to dry mouth and considerably higher than use of systemic treatments for serious manifestations of the disease and diagnosis of lymphoma. CONCLUSIONS Sjögren's-related dry eye is more burdensome than systemic manifestations of the disease and has a comparable impact on patient life.