Diagnostic tests in patients with symptoms of keratoconjunctivitis sicca

We compared the relative value of the tear film breakup time, Schirmer test, lactoferrin immunologic assay and rose bengal staining in 156 patients with varying severity of symptoms characteristic of keratoconjunctivitis sicca and in 39 controls. Statistical analysis showed that in patients with min...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inAmerican journal of ophthalmology Vol. 106; no. 5; p. 570
Main Authors Goren, M B, Goren, S B
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 15.11.1988
Subjects
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Female
Humans
Immunodiffusion
Keratoconjunctivitis - diagnosis
Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca - diagnosis
Lactoferrin
Male
Middle Aged
Ophthalmology - methods
Rose Bengal
Sensitivity and Specificity
Staining and Labeling
Tears - metabolism
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Summary:We compared the relative value of the tear film breakup time, Schirmer test, lactoferrin immunologic assay and rose bengal staining in 156 patients with varying severity of symptoms characteristic of keratoconjunctivitis sicca and in 39 controls. Statistical analysis showed that in patients with minimal ocular irritation the Schirmer test in combination with the lactoferrin immunologic assay provided an optimal balance between high test sensitivity and low false-positive rates. In patients with moderate to severe ocular burning, foreign body sensation, or pain but with no systemic symptoms of dry mouth or arthritis, and in patients with both ocular and systemic complaints, the lactoferrin assay alone provided statistically significant results. Tear film breakup time and staining with rose bengal were not useful and the Schirmer test had limited value in measuring the rate of tear secretion in these patients.
ISSN:0002-9394
DOI:10.1016/0002-9394(88)90587-9