Dysfunction of the Salivary and Lacrimal Glands After Radioiodine Therapy for Thyroid Cancer: Results of the START Study After 6-Months of Follow-Up.

Background: Understanding of changes in salivary and lacrimal gland functions after radioactive iodine therapy (131I-therapy) remains limited, and, to date, no studies have evaluated dose-response relationships between absorbed dose from 131I-therapy and dysfunctions of these glands. This study investigates salivary/lacrimal dysfunctions in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients six months after 131I-therapy, identifies 131I-therapy-related risk factors for salivary/lacrimal dysfunctions, and assesses the relationships between 131I-therapy radiation dose and these dysfunctions. Methods: A cohort study was conducted involving 136 DTC patients treated by 131I-therapy of whom 44 and 92 patients received 1.1 and 3.7 GBq, respectively. Absorbed dose to the salivary glands was estimated using a dosimetric reconstruction method based on thermoluminescent dosimeter measurements. Salivary and lacrimal functions were assessed at baseline (T0, i.e., immediately before 131I-therapy) and six months later (T6) using validated questionnaires and salivary samplings, with and without stimulation of the salivary glands. Statistical analyses included descriptive analyses and random-effects multivariate logistic and linear regressions. Results: There was no difference between T0 and T6 in the level of parotid gland pain, nor was there difference in the number of patients with hyposalivation, but there were significantly more patients with dry mouth sensation and dry eyes after therapy compared with baseline. Age, menopause, depression and anxiety symptoms, history of systemic disease, and not taking painkillers in the past three months were found to be significantly associated with salivary or lacrimal disorders. Significant associations were found between 131I-exposure and salivary disorders adjusted on the previous variables: for example, per 1-Gy increase in mean dose to the salivary glands, odds ratio = 1.43 [CI 1.02 to 2.04] for dry mouth sensation, ß = -0.08 [CI -0.12 to -0.02] mL/min for stimulated saliva flow, and ß = 1.07 [CI 0.42 to 1.71] mmol/L for salivary potassium concentration. Conclusions: This study brings new knowledge on the relationship between the absorbed dose to the salivary glands from 131I-therapy and salivary/lacrimal dysfunctions in DTC patients six months after 131I-therapy. Despite the findings of some dysfunctions, the results do not show any obvious clinical disorders after the 131I-therapy. Nevertheless, this study raises awareness of the risk factors for salivary disorders, and calls for longer follow-up. Clinical Trials Registration: Number NCT04876287 on the public website (ClinicalTrials.gov).

Enfermedad del ojo seco / Dry Eye Disease

El ojo seco es una condición frecuente que tiene un impacto importante sobre la calidad de vida, pues conlleva a una sensación de incomodidad y discapacidad visual. Adicionalmente, puede tener un efecto pernicioso sobre procedimientos quirúrgicos oculares, lo que compromete el resultado de las cirugías de córnea, catarata y refractiva. Este síndrome de disfunción lagrimal es un padecimiento multifactorial, derivado de una deficiencia o evaporación excesiva de la lágrima. Se realizó una búsqueda en la literatura científica, con el objetivo de describir de forma general la enfermedad del ojo seco, brindando información actualizada en relación a su concepto, epidemiología, clasificación, factores de riesgo, fisiopatología, síntomas y signos, retos diagnósticos atendiendo a la complejidad de la entidad y tratamiento. La identificación temprana de los subtipos y el control de la severidad es crucial para mejorar el bienestar del paciente. La carga económica en la sociedad, y el impacto de la enfermedad en el individuo, a través de su efecto sobre la visión, calidad de vida y productividad laboral, así como en su esfera psicológica y física son considerables. Por ello, es importante que los oftalmólogos con el apoyo de los tecnólogos en optometría y óptica diagnostiquen y traten la enfermedad en sus fases iniciales, en la que los signos y síntomas todavía no son graves, lo que permitirá ralentizar su evolución natural, y posiblemente disminuir las consecuencias perjudiciales que provoca(AU)

Dry eye is a common condition that has a significant impact on quality of life, leading to a feeling of discomfort and visual impairment. Additionally, it can have a pernicious effect on ocular surgical procedures, compromising the outcome of corneal, cataract and refractive surgeries. This lacrimal dysfunction syndrome is a multifactorial condition, derived from a deficiency or excessive tear evaporation. A search of the scientific literature was carried out with the aim of describing dry eye disease in a general way, providing updated information regarding its concept, epidemiology, classification, risk factors, pathophysiology, symptoms and signs, diagnostic challenges considering the complexity of the condition and its treatment. Early identification of subtypes and control of severity is crucial to improve patient welfare. The economic burden on society, and the impact of the disease on the individual, through its effect on vision, quality of life and work productivity, as well as on the psychological and physical aspects, are considerable. Therefore, it is important that ophthalmologists with the support of optometrists and ophthalmic technologists diagnose and treat the disease in its early stages, when signs and symptoms are not yet severe, which will slow down its natural progression, and possibly reduce the resulting harmful consequences(AU)

[Lacrimal dysfunction syndrome in patients with COVID-19 as an indicator of the severity of ocular ischemia]. / Disfunktsional'nyi sleznyi sindrom na fone COVID-19 kak pokazatel' tyazhesti ishemii organa zreniya.

PURPOSE: To assess the state of lacrimal function of the organ of vision in patients suffering from COVID-19 at the time of manifestation of the disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 112 (224 eyes) patients without concurrent ophthalmic pathologies suffering from COVID-19 infection, they were examined at the time of manifestation of the disease. Study patients were divided into two groups depending on the presence or absence of concomitant somatic diseases. In addition to a comprehensive ophthalmological examination, all patients underwent Schirmer's test (I and II) to measure tear production rate. RESULTS: Analysis of the results of the study revealed that impaired tear production correlates with insufficient oxygenation of ocular tissues, regardless of patient's comorbid background. Active oxygen therapy performed in severe cases of the disease further exacerbates the process on the ocular surface. CONCLUSION: The decrease in tear production observed at the height of the COVID-19 disease in patients with severe and moderately severe course correlates with indicators of blood saturation and index of ischemia, allowing this parameter - the rate of tear production - to be considered as a criterion for the severity of ocular ischemia.

Chemokine tear levels in primary Sjögren's syndrome and their relationship with symptoms.

PURPOSE: To evaluate CCL2, CXCL8, and CXCL10 in the tears of patients with Primary Sjögren's syndrome (PSS) and correlate them with ocular symptoms/discomfort and objective ocular tests. METHODS: We studied 21 patients with PSS. A single ophthalmologist, expert in dry eye, examined the patients and assessed tear film breakup time, Schirmer I test, tear meniscus height, Van Bijsterveld staining score and SICCA Ocular Staining Score. We also assessed the ESSPRI and ocular dryness VAS and the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), a 12-item scale assessing symptoms associated with dry eye disease and their impact on vision (ocular symptoms/discomfort). Tear samples collected with sterile tear flow strips were frozen at -86 °C until testing. After thawing, tears were extracted from the strips. We tested CCL2, CXCL8, and CXCL10 by luminometry. We also included 21 healthy control subjects without a dry eye. RESULTS: CXCL8 levels were similar in patients and controls. PSS patients had lower levels of CXCL10 (472.8 vs. 1652 pg/µL, p = 0.009) and CCL2 (1.08 vs. 9 pg/µL, p = 0.0001) than controls. Patients with worse ocular sicca symptoms/discomfort had the lowest CXCL10 levels (239.3 vs. 646.2 pg/µL, p = 0.02). CCL2 correlated with tear meniscus height (τ = 0.37, p = 0.02) and with OSS (τ = -0.3, p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We found lower levels of CXCL10 and CCL2 in the tears of patients with PSS, associating the former with worse ocular symptoms and the latter with positive ocular target tests.

Risk factors for ocular surface damage in Mexican patients with dry eye disease: a population-based study.

PURPOSE: To analyze potential risk factors for ocular surface damage in a representative population of Mexican patients with dry eye disease (DED). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective and cross-sectional population-based epidemiologic cohort study was conducted through a survey of patients with symptoms, signs, known preexisting diagnosis, and clinical conditions related to DED. Fluorescein staining, tear break-up time (TBUT), and Oxford lissamine green staining were performed on both eyes of patients enrolled in the study. RESULTS: A total of 2,725 surveys including 1,543 (56.6%) women and 1,182 (43.3%) men were analyzed. Most common pre-existing diagnosis included dry eye (58%), chronic blepharitis (17%), and ocular allergy (15%). More than 70% of patients had a positive fluorescein test, and this prevalence increased proportionally to the number of reasons for consultation. The same was true for gender (P<0.001) and age (P<0.0001), with women showing a strong correlation with age (R2=0.93912, P=0.001). The association between positive fluorescein staining and diagnosis was significant for dry eye (P<0.0001), Sjögren's syndrome (P<0.0001), and glaucoma (P<0.05). No significant association between TBUT and age or gender was found, but the shorter the TBUT, the larger the prevalence of fluorescein staining. Reduced TBUT was seen more frequently in patients with dry eye (57%), ocular allergy (16%), and chronic blepharitis (15%). Most patients (39%) with Oxford grades III and IV were older, complained of red eye (51.0%), foreign body sensation (47.0%), burning (46.0%), and were using eye drops (67%) and systemic medications (47%). CONCLUSION: The Mexican profile of patients with significant ocular surface damage related to DED includes women at older ages, complaining of red eye, foreign body, and burning sensation. Diagnoses of dry eye, Sjögren's syndrome, and glaucoma were also risk factors for significant ocular surface damage, along with long-term use of preserved eyes drops and systemic medications.