The level of depression and anxiety in patients with keratoconus

Session Details

Session Title: Presented Poster Session: Cross-Linking

Venue: Poster Village: Pod 2

First Author: : S.Akkaya Turhan TURKEY

Co Author(s): :    B. Yargi   E. Toker   M. Yildiz   F. Baz   E. Ornek           

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To evaluate the level of depression and anxiety of patients with keratoconus.

Setting:

Marmara University School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, and Department of Psychiatry, Istanbul, Turkey

Methods:

Twenty-three, consecutively admitted keratoconus patients who were scheduled crosslinking treatment were enrolled in this observational cross-sectional study. All patients underwent a complete ophthalmic and psychiatric examination. Current diagnosis of psychiatric disorders was determined using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. Keratoconus was classified according to the classification of Amsler-Krumeich. The visual acuities (Uncorrected visual acuity, UDVA; corrected-visual acuity, CDVA), refractive (spherical equivalent, SE; astigmatism) and topographic measures (K1, K2, Kmean, Kmax), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were recorded.

Results:

The mean age was 24.4±4.5 (18-35) years. Thirty-nine percent of the patient population had at least one Axis I psychiatric disorder according to SCID(n=3, Major Depression (N:2); n=2, Generalized Anxiety Disorder; n=1, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; n=1, Social Anxiety Disorder; n=1, Panic Disorder; n=1, Dysthymia). Considering the whole patient group, the mean BDI score was 7.40±8.05, which showed minimal depression. Additionally, the mean BAI score was 8.91±12.18, which was consonant with mild anxiety. Three patients had clinically significant depression and 3 patients had clinically significant anxiety according to the cut-off scores of BDI and BAI.

Conclusions:

The data obtained from psychiatric interviews show that psychiatric disorders are common in patients with keratoconus. Ophthalmologists should pay attention to psychiatric disturbances that may affect the quality of life of these patients and should consult them if needed.

Financial Disclosure:

None