Clinical validation of the Standardized Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness Questionnaire in European Portuguese in a non-clinical sample.

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study is to determine the best cut-off value for the Standardized Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness Portuguese version questionnaire and verify possible differences between the questionnaire score and different age groups.

Methods: The clinical validation of the Standardized Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness Portuguese version was performed by completing this and the Ocular Surface Disease Index in Portuguese version questionnaire, in 180 volunteers (68.9% female), with an age range of 19-96 years.

Results: An excellent degree of reliability was found between the Standardized Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness Portuguese version and the Ocular Surface Disease Index Portuguese version questionnaires (Cronbach's Alpha = 0.824). The Receiver Operating Characteristic curve analysis revealed a cut-off of 8 points (Sensitivity of 71.2% and Specificity of 71%). Furthermore, the area under the curve of the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve was 0.813, indicating that Standardized Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness Portuguese version questionnaire is a good diagnostic tool and interchangeable with the Ocular Surface Disease Index questionnaire.

Conclusion: The Standardized Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness Portuguese version questionnaire is a reliable tool for the detection of dry eye symptoms in the Portuguese population with a broad age range.