The patient-reported outcome of age-related cataract using Catquest-8SF questionnaire

AIM: To assess the patient-reported outcome of phacoemulsification with posterior chamber single focus foldable intraocular lens (SIOL) using the Chinese version of Catquest-8SF questionnaire (Catquest-8SF-CN), evaluate the applicability of Catquest-8SF scale in northern Chinese and its sensitivity to cataract surgery. METHODS: Prospective clinical case follow-up study. The patients were recruited from the Central Hospital of Tai’an and completed the Catquest-8SF questionnaire by face-to-face interviews before and 3mo after surgery at the hospital. RESULTS: A total of 120 cataract patients with median age 67.6y and 52.5% female completed the Catquest-8SF. The Cronbach’s α coefficient of the total scale, daily-activity sub-table and comprehensive-evaluation sub-table were 0.861, 0.853 and 0.748 respectively. There was a high level of consistency between two investigators. The cumulative contribution rate was 66.64% by using the principal component analysis and the maximum variance orthogonal rotation method. The preoperative score of the Catquest-8SF-CN had a significant negative correlation with preoperative binocular mean weighted visual acuity and age (P<0.05), while a significant positive correlation with education level (F=6.094, P<0.001). The patients without systemic comorbidities got higher score than those who with (P<0.05). Three months after surgery, 102 (85%) patients came for follow-up and completed the questionnaire. Significant improvement of visual acuity was observed in both binocular and monocular surgery groups (t=10.404, P<0.001). There was higher improvement in binocular weighted visual acuity of binocular surgery group than in monocular surgery group (t=-20.77, P<0.001). The postoperative score was significantly higher in both groups than before (P<0.001). There was a significant improvement in the total score after cataract surgery. The 94 patients (92.2%) were very satisfied or satisfied with the operation; 92 patients (90.2%) thought the surgery achieved their expectations, and they all felt satisfactory. The degree of satisfaction was significantly correlated with the improvement score of the scale and it was also correlated with their expectation of the surgery. CONCLUSION: The Chinese version of Catquest-8SF questionnaire is suitable for the age-related cataract population in northern China. It is highly responsive to cataract surgery and brief, so it may have the potential to become part of a routine clinical assessment for cataract surgery in China. The patient’s overall satisfaction is high, which illustrates that the medical service we provide matches the patient’s needs. The degree of satisfaction was significantly correlated with the improvement score of the scale and it was also correlated with their expectation of the surgery.