Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Summary Purpose To assess whether sociodemographic factors are associated with disease severity in patients with keratoconus treated at a tertiary care center within a publicly funded healthcare system. Setting Kepler University Clinic and Johannes Kepler University, Linz, Austria. Methods This monocentric cross-sectional study assessed socioeconomic factors, quality of life, and objective measurement parameters in patients with keratoconus. Clinical data included best-corrected distance visual acuity (BCDVA) and corneal parameters using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT), including anterior and posterior maximum corneal curvature (K max ), minimum pachymetry (Th min ), and epithelial thickness index (ETI). Sociodemographic factors and access-to-care variables were assessed using a structured questionnaire. Disease severity and patient-reported outcomes were analyzed according to the Austrian urban-rural typology in order to explore regional and sociodemographic differences. Quality of life and subjective symptoms were assessed using the Rasch-validated Keratoconus Outcomes Research Questionnaire (KORQ). Results A total of 105 patients (70.48% male; 29.52% female) were included in this study. The highest anterior K max values were observed in patients from medium-sized urban centers (right eye 55.79 ± 13.43 D; left eye 59.78 ± 13.30 D). Visual acuity was lowest for major and medium sized urban centers (right eye 0.41 ± 0.45 logMAR; left eye 0.47 ± 0.38 logMAR). KORQ Scores were highest in medium sized (51.71 ± 7.21 points) and major urban centers (47.38 ± 14.08 points), indicating greater patient-reported disease burden. Conclusion Sociodemographic factors may contribute to differences in disease severity among keratoconus patients, even within a publicly funded healthcare system. Universal health coverage alone may not ensure equitable access to timely diagnosis and specialized care. Larger studies with multivariable adjustment are needed for underlying these observations.
Source: Wiener klinische Wochenschrift
Language: English
Subfield: Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,690
OpenAlex ID: W7204246045