Purpose: To evaluate the extent of psychosomatical complaints in patients with primary keratoconjunctivitis sicca (pKCS).
Methods: 20 patients (m:f = 1.19; mean age 49 +/- 7 years) with pKCS were rated according to the von Zerssen Symptom List (psychosomatical discomfort), the Maudsley Personality Inventory (MPI)-N (emotional status) and -E (extroverted-introverted) and to Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). 54 subjects (m:f = 35:17; mean age 46 +/- 17 years) without any ocular or general chronic disease were used as control group.
Results: In comparison to the control group the patients with pKCS showed significantly (p < 0.0001) more complaints (von Zerssen Symptom List), were more (p < 0.0001) emotionally unstable (MPI-N) and more (p < 0.0001) depressive (BDI). No group differences were found regarding extroversion-introversion (MPI-E).
Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that many patients with pKCS showed psychological problems and disturbances. We therefore recommend an additional psychological treatment (e.g. autogenic training) for these patients to stabilize their emotional condition, which may even have a positive effect on their dry eye problems.