Purpose: Dry eye disease (DED) is a major complication of autoimmune disorders, including Sjögren syndrome (SS), ocular graft-versus-host disease, and other rheumatic diseases. DED often affects patients' quality of life, necessitating early detection and treatment. However, no simple screening method for DED has yet been established in ophthalmologic practice. This retrospective study aimed to identify the characteristic features of SS-related DED from anterior segment images.
Methods: Five hundred two cases (SS, 68 cases; ocular graft-versus-host disease, 50 cases; other conditions, 27 cases; simple DED, 72 cases; and no DED, 97 cases) were enrolled.
Results: The inferior corneal fluorescein staining score (CFS_I) was significantly higher in the SS group ( P < 0.001). Moreover, the nasal lissamine green staining score (LG_N) was high in the SS group ( P < 0.001). The sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic curve were calculated for the CFS_I plus LG_N in relation to the SS-positive and SS-negative statuses; the sensitivity and specificity were 80.6% and 91.1%, respectively, with an area under the curve of 0.926.
Conclusions: A positive CFS_I combined with a positive LG_N correlates with a high risk for SS. A positive CFS_I and a positive LG_N are important signs for an immune-related DED, especially SS, and may be useful in the early detection of SS-related DED.
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