Second Survey on Patient-centred Care of Ocular Graft-versus-Host Disease in Germany

Abstract

graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) is a common complication after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) and causes immunological rejection of host tissues, which can occur both acute or chronically. Approximately 40 - 80% of patients with the diagnosis of chronic GvHD (cGvHD) also develop ocular GvHD. For these patients, immediate and uncomplicated access to interdisciplinary patient-centred care is important. We performed this survey to improve understanding of the structure of patient-centred care in Germany. The GvHD working party of the Cornea Section of the German Society of Ophthalmology sent the "Survey of ocular GvHD 2016" to all university and specialised hospitals in Germany. We evaluated the data and compared the information with survey results from 2014, in order to draw conclusions about the structure and process of patient-centred care in ocular GvHD. Besides the questions from 2014 on the numbers of allo-SCT, frequency of examinations, etc. there were additional questions on the prescription of ciclosporin and autologous serum eye drops. The question on frequency examination was further expanded to include examinations of paediatric patients. Of 30 participating hospitals, 22 had already taken part in the first survey. According to the information they provided, approx. 1860 allo-SCTs were performed in the transplantation units of the participating eye hospitals in 2016. This was more than half of the transplantations performed in Germany. Ophthalmologists examined between 2 and 250 Patients per year per centre. Eight clinics provide a specialised outpatient clinic for ocular GvHD. Nearly all the participating clinics prescribe ciclosporin eye drops. About ⅔ provide autologous serum eye drops, seven obtain them from external sources. Overall approx. 125 - 140 children were examined in 2016. Due to the potential severity of ocular GvHD with immobilisation of the patients and the imminent loss of sight, further improvements in eye care are required. For example, offers such as special consultations, with expertise located close to any transplantation unit are recommended. This requires in particular ophthalmologists to participate in the patient care to enhance quality of life after allo-SCT. In summary, we conclude that the present structures are not sufficient to treat all patients suffering from ocular GvHD in Germany, but the situation has evidently improved.