Ocular Manifestations in Psoriasis Screening (OcMaPS) Questionnaire: A Useful Tool to Reveal Misdiagnosed Ocular Involvement in Psoriasis

Abstract

Psoriasis is an immune-mediated, chronic inflammatory disease, which mainly affects the skin, although it has systemic pathological effects. Comorbidities of psoriasis include ocular disorders, which are often nonspecific or mildly symptomatic. The aim of this study was to show the importance of ocular-disease screening in psoriatic patients using the Ocular Manifestations in Psoriasis Screening (OcMaPS) questionnaire. Patients suffering from moderate-to-severe psoriasis referring at our outpatient-clinic were consecutively enrolled. Each patient was asked to complete a screening questionnaire (OcMaPS). Patients reporting ocular symptoms were referred for an ophthalmological examination. A total of 372 patients were enrolled in the study. Ocular symptoms were detected in 39 patients (10.5%), and 37 patients were referred to ophthalmological examination which confirmed the presence of ocular manifestation in 30 patients. There were three cases (10%) of uveitis, 14 (46.6%) of dry eye and 13 (43.3%) of cataract, in progress or already treated with surgery. In the remaining seven patients, no ocular manifestations were found. Ocular manifestations in psoriatic patients are not rare. It is important to be aware of ocular symptoms in psoriatic patients, screening patients (with a consultation or OcMaPS questionnaire), which leads to earlier diagnosis and treatment.