Evaluation of dry eye disease symptomatology and mental health status among patients with different COVID-19 statuses

AIM:To evaluate dry eye disease(DED)symptomatology and mental health status in different COVID-19 patients.METHODS:A cross-sectional observational design was used.Totally 123 eligible adults(46.34%of men,age range,18-59y)with COVID-19 included in the study from August to November,2022.Ocular Surface Disease Index(OSDI),Five-item Dry Eye Questionnaire(DEQ-5),Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale(HADS),and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI)were used in this study.RESULTS:OSDI scores were 6.82(1.25,15.91)in asymptomatic carriers,7.35(2.50,18.38)in mild cases,and 16.67(4.43,28.04)in recurrent cases,with 30.00%,35.56%,and 57.89%,respectively evaluated as having DED symptoms(χ2=7.049,P=0.029).DEQ-5 score varied from 2.00(0,6.00)in asymptomatic carriers,3.00(0,8.00)in mild cases,and 8.00(5.00,10.00)in recurrent cases,with 27.50%,33.33%,and 55.26%,respectively assessed as having DED symptoms(χ2=8.532,P=0.014).The prevalence of clinical anxiety(50.00%)and depression(47.37%)symptoms were also significantly higher in patients with recurrent infection(χ2=24.541,P<0.001;χ2=30.871,P<0.001).Recurrent infection was a risk factor for high OSDI scores[odds ratio,2.562;95%confidence interval(CI),1.631-7.979;P=0.033]and DEQ-5 scores(odds ratio,3.353;95%CI,1.038-8.834;P=0.043),whereas having a fixed occupation was a protective factor for OSDI scores(odds ratio,0.088;95%CI,0.022-0.360;P=0.001)and DEQ-5 scores(odds ratio,0.126;95%CI,0.039-0.405;P=0.001).CONCLUSION:Patients with recurrent COVID-19 have more severe symptoms of DED,anxiety,and depression.

Comparative analysis of cytomegalovirus retinitis and microvascular retinopathy in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

AIM：To compare the clinical manifestation of cytomegalovirus（CMV）retinitis and microvascular retinopathy（MVR）in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome（AIDS）in China.METHODS：A total of 93 consecutive patients with AIDS,including 41 cases of CMV retinitis and 52 cases of MVR were retrospectively reviewed.Highly active antiretroviral therapy（HAART）status was recorded.HIV and CMV immunoassay were also tested.CD4＋T-lymphocyte count and blood CMV-DNA test were performed in all patients.Aqueous humor CMV-DNA test was completed in 39patients.Ophthalmological examinations including best corrected visual acuity（BCVA,by International Standard Vision Chart）,intraocular pressure（IOP）,slit-lamp biomicroscopy,indirect ophthalmoscopy were performed.RESULTS：In MVR group,the anterior segment examination was normal in all patients with a mean BCVA of 0.93±0.13.Blood CMV-DNA was 0（0,269 000）and 42 patients（80.77%）did not receive HAART.In CMV retinitis group,13 patients（31.71%）had anterior segment abnormality.The mean BCVA was 0.64±0.35 and blood CMV-DNA was 3470（0,1 450 000）.Nineteen patients（46.34%）had not received HAART.MVR group and CMV retinitis group the positive rates of aqueous CMV-DNA were 0 and 50%,respectively.Two patients with MVR progressed to CMV retinitis during the follow-up period.CONCLUSION：In comparison of CMV,patients with MVR have relatively mild visual function impairment.Careful ophthalmological examination and close follow-up are mandatory,especially for patients who have systemic complications,positive CMV-DNA test and without received HAART.

Effect of individualized therapy for AIDS patients with cytomegalovirus retinitis in intravitreal ganciclovir injections

The effect of intravitreal ganciclovir injection combined with intravenous infusion on acquired immune deficiency syndrome(AIDS) patients with cytomegalovirus retinitis(CMVR) was investigated. A total of 32 eyes in 23 AIDS patients diagnosed as CMVR from 2017 to 2018 were included in the retrospective study. All patients underwent induction therapy by using intravenous drip of the anticytomegalovirus(CMV) agent ganciclovir(5 mg/kg q12 h) combined with intravitreal ganciclovir injection(3 mg/time, 2 times/wk). The visual acuity, fundus photographs, lesion location, and number of intravitreal injections were observed preoperatively and postoperatively. Totally 14 eyes were cured during induction therapy. The number of injections [4.13(2 to 6)] in CMVR patients with peripherally fundus lesions were significantly lower than those with central lesions (4.89(2 to 6))The individualized therapy of intravitreal ganciclovir injections for AIDS patients with CMVR can effectively reduce the numbers of intravitreal injections.