Ophthalmological Aspects in Allogenic Bone Marrow Transplantation: Sjögren-Like Syndrome in Graft-Versus-Host Disease

Abstract

Purpose.

A major complication of allogenic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), characterized principally by involvement of the eyes, producing a Sjögren-like syndrome (SLS). This study assessed the predictive role of the eye involvement in the onset of GVHD.

Methods.

Thirty-five patients transplanted for hematological malignancies were routinely examined for ocular manifestation of dry eye. Examination includes the Schirmer I test, break-up time, Lissamine Green staining, fluorescein test, lactoferrin test and impression cytology. A threshold was established for quantitative analysis of SLS.

Results.

Fifteen of 35 patients (40%) developed SLS during long-term follow-up. Ten of these (77%) developed acute or chronic GVHD.

Conclusions.

The possible etiology of SLS includes three factors: total body irradiation, ocular toxicity of chemotherapy and GHVD. A correlation was found between poor-prognosis GVHD and the occurrence of SLS.