Association between Quality of Life and Visual Acuity in a Randomized Clinical Trial of Patients with Uveitis Taking Antimetabolites

PurposeTo evaluate how changes in visual acuity are associated with changes in quality of life (QoL) among patients with non-infectious uveitis taking antimetabolites.MethodsThis secondary analysis of the multicenter First-line Antimetabolites as Steroid-sparing Treatment (FAST) Uveitis Trial involves 216 participants randomized to methotrexate or mycophenolate mofetil. Vision-related (NEI-VFQ and IND-VFQ) and health-related (PCS and MCS SF-36v2) QoL and visual acuity were measured at baseline and 6-month primary endpoint.ResultsVisual acuity was significantly associated and correlated with all QoL measures (Spearman correlation coefficients = 0.5, 0.5, 0.3, and 0.4 for NEI-VFQ, IND-VFQ, SF-36v2 MCS and PCS, respectively). All observed changes in QoL met or exceeded the minimal clinically important difference definition on each scale. Treatment group was not significantly associated with any QoL measure.ConclusionBy adding insight beyond visual acuity, QoL provides a more comprehensive picture of the patient experience during uveitis treatment.